Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12:1-28

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.

• And there you have it – blunt truth.  Do you realize that you’re not good and that you need to be shaped into the perfect being God intended you to be?  If so, perfect.  If not, you many be measuring yourself with a worldly measuring stick.  
• We all need discipline to keep us in line.  This assumes there IS a line to keep us on.  And since there is, we will mess up without discipline.  This is wisdom in a nutshell.  
• Those who say, “I know, I know” taking offense at instruction and correction are – as it says clearly – stupid.  They just don’t get it.

 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

but a man of evil devices he condemns.

• If you’re REALLY in a relationship with God through Jesus, you will show it.  God knows your heart.  And one who obey’s his instruction shows that he loves God and knows that God loves him.  This is “good” as defined by God’s measuring stick.
• Evil men … well, He can not and will not be near soothing that is un-holy.  God wants them to be near Him, but they must by holy – clean – first.  That can only be accomplished through Jesus.  Until a person accepts that gift, they are condemned by default.

 No one is established by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

• We’ve talked about this many times.  How can someone stand firm on ground that is constantly moving.  The world’s version of what is good or bad is constantly shifting, so our tendency to see something “okay” that is wicked in God’s eyes is just an example of the world infecting us.  Happens to me all the time.  
• The only way to be rooted in anything absolutely objective – that does not move or shift or change – is to look to God’s version of good and bad.  You can hang your hat on that.

 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

• And vice versa - “An excellent husband is the crown of his wife”.  What does an “excellent” wife or husband look like?  We read about that in the New Testament.  “Wives, submit to your husbands as the church does to Christ … and husbands love your wives as Christ loves the church.”  An excellent wife will respect her husband unconditionally, just like an excellent husband will love his wife unconditionally.  The wife will allow the husband to have the final say as the head of household, but he will listen to her perspectives and decide based on a fair balance of both perspectives, assuming they align with God’s perspective.  The husband will serve the wive (like Christ did).  He will drop his selfish ways and live – and die – for her and for the family.  The old man is gone.  The new has come.  

 The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

• God is just.  If we train ourselves to think like Christ, our thoughts and actions will be just, too.
• Always check advice from others against God’s truth.  Again, that is the only way to ensure objectivity, because there are a lot of deceitful people out there.

 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

 but the house of the righteous will stand.

• In a previous study, we discussed this.  Those on unstable ground will be swept away in the storm.
• But those who build on solid ground will stand firm.

 A man is commended according to his good sense,

but one of twisted mind is despised.

• Normal human nature to think highly of someone with good sense, and to think less of a person with no sense.  
• Where does this good sense come from?  The Bible.  Study it and you will be thought of highly because you will have good sense.

 Better to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread.

• This is speaking to an American trait.  The $30,000 millionaires in Dallas are a perfect example.  They want to put on this image of being rich and having it all put together, but they are so far in debt it’s nuts.
• It’s better to be humble, live simply, and have a bank account that no one knows about.  Uncle George comes to mind.

 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

• Not to get all Pam Anderson here, but you can tell the quality of a person by the way they treat animals.  I don’t mean lifting them up on a pedestal like many do, but being kind and thoughtful to the needs of the animals.  We were put in charge of them – to keep them safe.  They are innocent.
• The best indicator of a serial killer is to look at how they treated animals when they were young.  If they show no mercy to an innocent animal, what mercy will they show a person who needs some grace?

 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

 but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

• God helps those who help themselves.  Keep in mind, He already gave you your talents, your hands and feet, and so on.  He expects that you will use them.  If you do, you’ll have what you need.
• Those trying to do things that make no sense are stealing from themselves.  It’s an opportunity cost.

 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

• Never envy anyone – we all have our purpose here and are given the appropriate tools.  What seems appealing to you may actually be a burden to them.
• But especially don’t envy those who have gained what they have from evil, wicked ways.  
• And you can tell a man’s heart from the fruit he bears.  Root yourself in God and you will do what is right – you will bear good fruit.

 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

 but the righteous escapes from trouble.

• Watch what you say, write, communicate.  If your words don’t lift up, then they can tear down.  And they may end up tearing you down.
• I think of how many times I’ve heard, “Well, Greg, YOU said …”  And if it was bad, or false, I was in trouble.
• But if my words are life, if they are uplifting always, I will always be blameless.

 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

 and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

• Work, create … what you will receive in return will be good.  Your efforts, put forth for good, will always come back you.

 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.

 The vexation of a fool is known at once,

but the prudent ignores an insult.

• The fool does not know he is a fool.  His ways, then, are likely just as clueless.  We need to help the fool by educating him.  If he does not react well to the education, that’s fine.  You’ve done what you can.
• Humble yourself, drop the ego, and listen to the advice of others.  Sometimes listening to multiple people with advice will end with triangulation of the best way.
• When insulted, it's best not to react at all, for many reasons.  One – that’s what the insulter is hoping for … a reaction.  Don’t give him what he’s hoping for.  Two, will it really improve things, or will it escalate things?  

 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,

but a false witness utters deceit.

• If asked, just tell it like it is.  Don’t try to deceive, even if it’s for “good” reasons.  Trust God that being honest will always result in the best outcome.

 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

 Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

• Words can build you up.  Words can break you down.  Put a fire in your heart – or – put it out.  (From a good song called “Words”)
• Words can totally deflate you – suck the energy right out of you, just like a sword to the heart.
• But helping someone to see the bigger picture, with truth, can heal.  
• If you feel the urge to “say something” and it’s not to heal or help, bite your lip.
• You may gain temporarily by lying, but it won’t last.  Just like the Twain quote I used last time, “Tell the truth and you never have to remember anything."

 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

but those who plan peace have joy.

 No ill befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

• Lying = evil.  It never bears good fruit.
• Plan for peace – try to accommodate, have patience, love – you will have joy.
• Garbage in, garbage out.  If you put trouble into the world, you will receive trouble.  Emit good, and you’ll receive good.

 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

 but those who act faithfully are his delight.

 A prudent man conceals knowledge,

 but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

• Have the faith of a child.  Trust Him.  That is the greatest communication of love you can give to God.
• Prudent as a term used to be seen as very good.  Acting with prudence.  Don’t blurt out everything you know.  Think about it – share what is needed and no more.  If you don’t act with prudence, you’re a fool.

 The hand of the diligent will rule,

while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

• Luck is 5% inspiration, 95% perspiration.  On average, people are about the same level of smart.  The one who works harder, then, is the one who generally gets ahead.  And the ones who don’t work hard, no matter how smart, will generally be stuck with the stuff that no one wants to do.

 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,

but a good word makes him glad.

• Don’t worry.  It doesn’t help, it only weighs you down.  It also shows that you may not trust God as much as you should.  
• A good word can come in the form of advice, but I think of this as God’s Word telling us not to worry.  Be glad in all circumstances.  Even in tough times, God is improving you.

 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

• Being righteous in God’s eyes not only helps you, it helps to guide those around you.  
• Being wicked hurts you and others, too.
• Monkey see, monkey do.  Be a good monkey, so the other monkeys will see you and know how to be. (e.g. No more throwing feces)

 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,

but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

 In the path of righteousness is life,

and in its pathway there is no death.

• Again, a comparison of the fruit you get from diligence versus laziness.  You’re entitled to nothing.  Work for it.  Good thing is, your efforts will pay off.
• Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, follow His commands, and you will have eternal life.  Your body may die, but you never will.