Proverbs 16:30

Violent men get evil ideas from their deceitful and wicked hearts (Jer 17:9), by closing their eyes from any distractions; and they use their mouths to convince the gullible to accept and follow their suggestions and/or to seduce their victims to destruction.

This proverb is connected to the one before it that reads this way: “A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good” (Pr 16:29). These violent men abuse others personally or morally by persuading them into actions that are wicked.

Where does violence and evil come from? From the heart of man and his evil thoughts, as Jesus taught clearly (Matt 15:16-20; 12:33-35). It was this kind of sinful imagination that moved God to drown the earth with the Flood and to destroy man and beast (Gen 6:5-7).

These violent persons that entice others to participate in their wicked ways are described as shutting their eyes to devise froward things. They shut their eyes to block out any warnings against them from either God or man so they can concentrate on their fantasies.

Even the thought of foolishness is sin (Pr 24:9), and every sin begins in the heart and mind (Jas 1:13-16). Wicked men block out any advice or warnings against their lives in order to focus on their plans to seduce and harm others in their lust for sinful pleasures.

What are froward things? Anything that is contrary to what is right or reasonable, things that are bad, wrong, or perverse. The sinful desires and conduct of natural men without the fear of the Lord are always froward. They are always perverting God’s way on earth.

These violent persons that entice others to participate in their wicked ways are described as moving their lips to bring evil to pass. The movement of their lips is their verbal efforts to persuade others to join them in their ungodly and/or unlawful ambitions.

For this reason, the apostle Paul warned that evil communications will certainly corrupt good manners (I Cor 15:33). If you listen to fools, you will become a fool (Pr 13:20). You must reject and avoid the opinions and philosophy of the world from any source and replace it with God’s opinion from His word (Ps 1:1-2; 119:113,128; I John 2:15-17).

Hollywood fulfills this warning in every production. Do you wonder how they can create such inane and desperately wicked themes, over and over? It is because they have blocked out all reason and righteousness to pursue the sinful lusts filling their hearts and minds, and then they create a soundtrack and verbal dialogue to entice you to join them.

The only way you can survive is to follow David’s advice: “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me” (Ps 101:3). What, as in television and movies, and who, as in friends or false teachers, do you need to reject and avoid in your life? Every day they are trying to destroy you.

Paul gave a glorious alternative with this inspired advice: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8).