“A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a false mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers.” (Proverbs 6:12-15, NASB)

I have a “false mouth,” “winks with my eyes,” “signals with my feet,” and “points with my fingers.” Who am I? Don’t have an answer? Let’s find more hints as we read today’s passage. It says,

“A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a false mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart devises evil continually, who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing.”

Yes, the answer is: worthless or wicked person. Today’s passage describes a basic principle of life: our actions reflect our inner character. Although it isn’t always accurate, observing someone’s actions, words, and decisions usually gives us insight into their character or inner self. Solomon does not provide descriptions of what a worthless or wicked person is, but descriptions of what he does. The four interesting gestures are: walking with a false mouth, winking with his eyes, signaling with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. On the surface, these actions are puzzling for modern readers. To understand fully, you have to consider what Solomon was thinking and the cultural context of those days.

The first gesture is pretty easy and straightforward. “False mouth” probably refers to someone who lies, speaks falsely, and deceives. Further, the idea of someone who “walks” in this way is about someone who habitually lives with a false mouth.

The second gesture, “winks with his eyes,” is probably about sharing the knowing look between conspirators. It speaks of a secret signal that says, “We know something they don’t,” or signifies a shared joke at someone else’s expense. It is not a friendly wink.

The third gesture, “signals with his feet,” implies a hidden or “shuffled” communication between the culprits. It is because feet are usually under the table, hidden from the public, and people use them to communicate a message secretly. Above the table, their faces and words may be friendly, respectable, moral, and kind, but below their feet signal the very opposite message.

The fourth gesture, “points with his fingers,” is the most difficult one to interpret. The Hebrew word for “point” is “yarah,” which has various meanings. Here are the common usage of the word: 1) (properly) to flow as water, 2) (hence) to rain, 3) (transitively) to lay or throw (especially an arrow), 4) (hence) to shoot, 5) (figuratively) to point out (as if by aiming the finger), 6) (hence) to teach. Its root imagery and range of meaning “portrays deliberate, accurate projection. Whether the object is an arrow, a drop of oil, a stream of water, or a word of instruction, the action always moves straight from sender to target. From this picture flows its principal ideas: to shoot, to cast, to sprinkle, and to teach” (Biblehub). It appears that the main idea Solomon was trying to convey was that this person was trying to teach or point the way with his fingers, but not in a good way.

Regardless of how you would interpret these four gestures, we know what kind of person they are. They are “worthless” and “wicked” people, and they are such people from their hearts. On the surface, they appear to be good people, but secretly, they devise evil. He sums it up in verse 14, “Who with perversity in his heart devises evil continually.” In other words, all of these gestures were caused by “perversity” and “evil” in the person. Our actions reflect our inner character. Actions speak louder than words. Solomon also points out their pitiful end by saying, “But they will be struck by sudden disaster and left without a hope” (CEV). In these words, we find comfort knowing that these worthless and wicked people cannot deceive God. His eyes will see through their deceptive gestures and deliver His judgment to those who deserve it. They may hide their true intentions and communicate their messages secretly, but God sees their hearts.

• Why did Solomon use descriptions of gestures to describe a worthless and wicked person?
• Do you know someone like this?
• Do any of these gestures apply to you?