Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. 9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. 12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. 28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

Devotional

Introduction

Did you know that many Bible verses link easily to those found in other parts of the Bible? I think it is a pretty well known fact that everything in the Bible points to Jesus. But today I was struck by how many of the proverbs actually link back to verses in Psalms. There were five main instances where various proverbs linked back to verses of psalms. Now that's one way we can know that the Bible is accurate and inspired!

So in reading each of these verses and what they really meant, we can be sure that they are time-tested and true. God's word never contradicts itself, so feel encouraged knowing that not only do these verses have great wisdom, but they are certainly true. As well as that, in reading them together, we can understand new things and build upon our knowledge - which you will likely see as I unpack these verses.

Study (note, additional information gained from psalms is underlined)

1) The advice from wicked is a lie and not worth following

The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. (vs.5)

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers" (Psalm 1:1)

I wonder if you have received bad advice? Perhaps it was not meant for harm, but it caused some trouble in your life? Here in Proverbs, Solomon says that what come from the wicked is simply a lie. In other verses it talks about their words being destructive, causing harm to themselves and others.

Psalm 1 here talks about how the man is blessed when he does not walk in their counsel, in their wisdom, in their guidance. I think he is blessed not only in reward, but simply living his life in the best way. It is just not worth following the world's advice if it doesn't match up with God's. And I don't mean that because it doesn't say "Clean your teeth" in the bible, that you shouldn't follow what dentists and ordinary people say. But if your closest friends advise you to disobey your parents or seek after a romantic relationship rather than God, warning bells should be going off.

And these bells will ring: "IT'S NOT WORTH IT!"

2) The wicked cannot bear fruit and crave it, whilst the well-nourished righteous bear much

Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,  but the root of the righteous bears fruit. (vs.12)

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:3)

The wicked are jealous of the evildoer's riches. They want it. But notice that from the very root of the righteous, there is fruit being born. Psalm 1:3 says this is because he is well-nourished. He is by the "streams of water". He bears good fruit - seasonal fruit - and "he prospers".

Consider how many people are chasing after the wrong things in life. You see, we need a relationship with God, in order to bear fruit. We need to fear the Lord before we can reap more wisdom. But people are chasing after romance, after wealth, after secure jobs, after life goals, thinking that their riches will come from that. They seek the spoil of a sinful world. We seek the treasure of Heaven.

And we prosper through the work of the spirit. Continually being well-nourished, feeding from the word of God, fearing the Lord, those are what will allow us to flourish. Life is messed up, but the righteous bear this desired fruit because of where they are seeking nourishment.

3)The wicked's rash lies bring bitterness, death, destruction, whilst the wise are a comfort

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,  but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (vs.18)

"...for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips." (Psalm 106:33)

"For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue." (Psalm 5:9)

I have already discussed many times how words can be used to uplift or destroy. Yesterday, we saw how a city can be overthrown simply by the words of the wicked (11:11). Verse 18 is no different. The impetuous words of the wicked bring such destruction that they even bring death ("open grave"). They make our spirit "bitter". Notice the plural on "sword thrusts". It's like being stabbed multiple times. It sounds incredibly painful.

I suppose you've probably experienced this. I certainly have, even from my very own friends. And I have certainly been the wicked myself. Jesus calls such hate murder.

But the wise person actually brings comfort and healing from such blows. As well as a murderer, I can be a healer. We can actually heal those people with our words. I know many times where the spirit of God has led me to say the right thing in that moment which not only heals, but points them to God. Praise God!

4) The righteous face no evil because of their protection, but the wicked face much trouble

"No ill befalls the righteous,  but the wicked are filled with trouble."(vs.21)

"...no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:10-12)

I always like to point out the generalisations, but its for your own good. Ill can "befall" those who have been made right in Jesus. Look at Job, a righteous man who faced so much evil. Even think about Jesus, a literally perfect man who faced death. He was even tempted by Satan to test God, with this very verse from Psalm 91.

But in general, no ill will come upon the righteous because they are protected by God. He does help us not to stumble as we walk the walk of faith. Remember, we are not perfect right now, so because of a sinful world and our own sin, we can faced trouble. But the wicked face more trouble as they continuously disobey God's law and find themselves in situations the righteous might not face because they are fearing the Lord.

Remember, if God is for us, who can be against us? God will do what he wills for our protection if it is part of our plan. Ultimately, you can know for certain you are safe in God's hands for all eternity if you are putting your faith in the saving death and resurrection of our Lord.

5) Anxiety can burden us, but good words (God's words) lift our spirits

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." (vs.25)

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." (Psalm 94:19)

I will conclude with this point: read God's words if ever you are anxious. Proverbs mentions how our anxiety can really become a burden for us, and good words can revive in us a sense of gladness. But Psalms more clearly points out the ultimate source of joy, the inspired word of God.

I have had many times in my life where I am grateful I was able to turn to God's word. There are times in my life where I have regret not turning to God's word. You may not be motivated to read the Bible, but it will help. If you are reading this, you have already read Proverbs and I am sure it has been as much an encouragement for you as it has been from me.

The Bible is not magical, but it is transformative through the work of the spirit. It reminds you of the joy we have in Christ. It leads you on a wise path to an eternal, ever-joyful life with God. When you feel anxious, turn to God's word because in contains the hope: the ailment for your anxious spirit.

God bless you all, and I pray these truths from Psalms and Proverbs have been of extensive encouragement.