What does Proverbs 15:26 mean?

Earlier, this passage said that hypocritical rituals done by godless people are disgusting to God; that used the root word translated as "abomination" in this verse (Proverbs 15:8). The evil, ungodly thoughts of those who reject the Lord are also repulsive to Him. Evil thoughts give birth not only to wicked acts but also to wicked words (Matthew 12:34; 15:18–19; James 1:14–15).

Nothing is hidden from God, not even a person's thoughts (Hebrews 4:13). Although many people believe sin occurs only when thoughts become actions, thoughts themselves may be sinful (Matthew 5:21–22, 28). In the days before the flood in Noah's time, "the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). He responded by destroying mankind, excepting Noah and Noah's family.

However, the Lord hears pleasant, or gracious, words and deems them pure (Proverbs 15:26). The Hebrew adjective translated here as "pure" means something "pure," "clean," or even "fair." Believers receive exhortations in Scripture to avoid using wicked words and to use pleasant words instead. Colossians 3:8–9 admonishes us to put away "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk" and lies. That same passage later commands us to talk and act in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).