Proverbs 21.28
“A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.”
The kingdom of God is founded on truth. This verse is one of several in the book of Proverbs that denounces deceitfulness and emphasizes the priority of speaking truth in personal and public situations.
The big point is that those who seek truth and speak truth will endure, while those who manipulate and lie will perish. It is noteworthy that Solomon describes the truth-teller as someone “who hears.” This is because before you can speak the truth, you must first hear the truth. The liar — the false witness — has no interest in hearing the truth, because he has no interest in speaking the truth.
Just two verses prior Solomon described the liar this way: “Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.” The courage and willingness to speak truth depends on the courage and willingness to heart truth.
You can trust the testimony of people who do their homework in order to seek the truth and hear the truth. Do not trust the word of those who do not do their homework because don’t want to hear the truth.
Proverbs 21.29
“A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.”
The phrase “bold face” describes a manipulative person who tries to deceive people by creating false image that disguises their true, evil motives. It is used in Proverbs 7:13 to describe the promiscuous woman when she seduces a man who is not her husband, even when she is performing an act of worship. It is also used in Daniel 8:23 in reference to a future king, most likely Antiochus Epiphanes, who did great damage against the people of God. It is clear this phrase is associated with horrible evil.
The goal of the wicked person is a display of confidence, which is why the term “bold face.” It’s not about truth and what is right; rather, it’s about appearance and image. It’s about narrative and talking points. Wicked people put on a bold face to create an image that disguises their true motives, and they create that image with the intent of deceiving people.
This is dramatically illustrated in the world of politics. Many politicians work hard to create an image and communicate a narrative they think will appeal to a targeted voting block. For these manipulative politicians, the goal is to get votes and the strategy is to create an image that will generate those votes. They “put on a bold face.”
There are many seductive manipulators in our society today, and they are very good at putting on a bold face to pull us into their sphere of influence. Don’t be deceived. Don’t get fooled.
“We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4.2)
