Like many of you on this journey, I am reading from the King James Version of the Bible. I have found several unexpected words and expressions during the course of our reading, and today brings another. At first, a reader might think there has been a misprint, but no, "froward" is indeed a real word: 31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. Proverbs 10:31-32
We came across "froward" in one of our Bible studies, and it has appeared several times in these Bible Club readings. From these verses, we can assume that a "froward" tongue is unjust, and that a wicked mouth speaks things that are unacceptable, but is there more to this particular word than I think?
Time for a little Internet search. According to one on-line dictionary* "froward" means "perverse, deceitful and false." "Deceitful" and "false" seem straightforward. What about "perverse"? I kept searching. Another dictionary** helped me with that: "turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required." The definition of "perverse" also carries the idea of being ungovernable, disobedient, and even peevish. Now we are getting somewhere.
When we speak with a froward tongue, we are doing so out of choice. Not only are we unwilling to comply with what is wise or acceptable, we actively turn away from wisdom and acceptability with aversion. We are reluctant to speak with other than a froward tongue. We choose disobedience and peevishness (and the definition of that one isn't flattering either!). No wonder the froward tongue must be pruned! No wonder Jesus warns us that what comes out of our mouths makes us defiled!
Is your Bible study leading you on these "birdwalks", too? I hope so. They really make our readings come alive, don't they?
"Froward" seems to include being doubled minded--saying one thing but meaning another, and a double minded man, as we know, is unstable in all his ways. However, it is the pure in heart who are promised the blessing of seeing God. In the King James translation we read "if therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." (Mat. 6:22) In gladness and singleness of heart the early church pursued its way, and this is still distinguishes the Church at its best.
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