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The Transgression That Ensnares

Proverbs 12:13 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹³In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.

In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare: Transgression (פֶּשַׁע pesha) is wantonness, crime, wrongdoing. One who violates a law, a duty, or a moral principle. An action or behavior that is contrary to a standard, be it a human standard or divine, with emphasis on the rebellious nature of the wrong committed. The transgression of the lips is to say something false, to lie. They are ensnared (מוֹקֵשׁ moqesh or מֹקֵשׁ moqesh) by their own desire to avoid an embarrassing moment, getting out of an unpleasant situation, or avoiding a punishment, seeking the easy way out.

but the righteous escapes from trouble: The Righteousness (צַדִּיק tsaddiq) adhere to the moral standard set out in God’s Word. Here they escape (יָצָא yatsa), that is, avoid the trouble (צָרָה tsarah), namely, a life of distress and pain by not giving into a false tongue, even in the most stressful of moments.

Lying is undoubtedly a transgression of the lips, which is an evil death-dealing snare for those misleading others with their words, that is, not telling the truth. (Rev. 21:8) Being dishonest with others, at first, may seem like the easy way of avoiding an embarrassing moment, getting out of an unpleasant situation, or avoiding punishment. However, as most know, one lie simply leads to another. It is the same way as gambling. A gambler starts with small amounts at first. Soon, he is drawn into risking bigger and bigger bets in an effort to recover all that he has lost. The same holds true with the liar, who soon finds himself snared in a vicious cycle of lies.

This same transgression of the lips in lying to others applies to our lying to ourselves. Suppose any has spent much time on social media. In that case, there are those that have convinced themselves that they are knowledgeable, even brilliant about something, when in reality, they are very misinformed and know very little. These ones literally live a lie. Indeed, “In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.” (Psalm 36:2) What a snare lying can be. The righteous one, on the other hand, will not put himself in such difficult situations; he will escape the troubled life of lying. Even in the most stressful moment, he will not give in to a false tongue.