Proverbs 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
In this scripture we a contrasted use of the tongue.
First we will look at the wrong way to use the tongue. People who bear false witness against others makes it seem to the one spoken about that it pierces like a sword but it is not long before the truth comes out and the damage is gone.
Then we those who speak truth which leads to people finding the righteousness God. Also the truth never hurts anybody but more often brings healing to situations. The thing about the truth is that it never fades but will stand forever. It is not hard to remember the truth but lies always have to covered up with other lies.
Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
Here we see two aspects of a fool. Remember we have already seen a fool lacks understanding. This tells us they are self centered and they think the whole world revolves around them.They think to highly of themselves just like Lucifer did. In the next verse we see a fool looses his temper easily. They usually get mad before they even know what the problem is.
On the other hand we see again that if we listen to wise teachings of the word of God we ourselves will become wise. And with this wisdom we learn to control our anger and gain the ability of self control. We can even ignore an insult. We need to strive to gain as much wisdom and knowledge of the word of God that we can so we do not make foolish mistakes.
Proverbs 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
We see in these first two verses the wicked are always after the things that others have gained with their schemes. Also the wicked are always getting caught in the lies they tell. On the other hand in theses verses we see the righteous produce fruit with the works they do that are pleasing to God and the just always tells the truth and therefore never has a problem to worry about. Then again in verse 14 we see that the righteous can be satisfied with the fruit they produce with the spreading of the gospel. Also the works we do with our hands will be blessed by God.
I Corinthians 1:21: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
Proverbs 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
We see in verse 11 someone that works for a living will have what he needs and not go hungry. God blesses those who work for what have not only in material things but also in their spiritual lives. Then we those that we see every day that could care less if they ever did anything. They are always looking for shortcuts, they expend energy on worthless pursuits and fantasies which is as useless as outright laziness. People are always happier if they have something in their life to accomplish in working at a job. As long as we always give God the credit for the abilities we have to accomplish the things we do He will bless us that makes our lives even better. For those that do not include God in their lives are the ones that depend on everybody else for what they can get by any means possible. Until they decide to change their lifestyle they will never amount to anything.
Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
We have in this first verse a man who is kind to animals. Also we have one that is cruel to animals and some like this will be cruel to people to. God even showed mercy to animals when told man to rest them on the Sabbath and man was also to rest. God made man to rule over animals and if they are treated as they should be they will do what you need them to without hesitation. People who love God love people as well and are kind to the animals that depend on them. A wicked person is mean to animals that cannot help themselves because they do not love God and He is not a part of their lives. We see that people who are not close to God in any way is always struggling to to accomplish anything with a sense achievement and is never satisfied. But the righteous person may not always have all the material goods he wants be he finds satisfaction in his Lord And Savior.
Proverbs 12:7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
In these scriptures we have 6 different kind s of people .
1.The wicked have no strength are overthrown because of their actions.
2. A righteous person who may face tribulation will stand firm because he has God to see him and his family through.
3. A person with the wisdom of God will be lifted up.
4. One who knows to do right but continues to do evil will be despised.
5.A person who is of low rank who can hire someone to work because of his honest gain is good.
6 The person who thinks and is always saying how much more he has and how much smarter he is the poorest person in the world.
We experience people like this almost every day some build us and some tear us down but we need to remember we have a God who will always be there if choose to follow Him.
Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
A woman is to be a person who is upright not only for herself but if she has a family for them to. This will cause her husband and her family to be proud of her. Nothing is worse than an unfaithful wife. She brings torment and shame to her husband, her family, and herself. The next two verses show us that wicked people are deceivers and try to convince everyone to believe their lies so they will go tell others. They will also lie in wait after their deception to gain what they from who they can. On the other hand a righteous persons thoughts are always on God and he only speaks the truth. Also they speak words of life not death or destruction like the wicked. It takes staying focused on God to live the life He has for us A good way to stay focused is to be church today and see what God has for you today.
Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Anyone who listens to instructions grows to to be a smart person and as we grow in the knowledge of God we realize our sin and repent. The greatest knowledge that we can have is to know God and his Word. If we are not eager to learn of God, we are like a beast without a conscience or to put it another way, he is as stupid as the brute cattle. A good man is always eager to please God and this pleases God. The man who does not seek God and wishes to do evil all the time God will condemn A righteous man is like a big oak tree planted planted by a river with deep roots, it is hard to be moved even though they are a lot storms we face in our lives. A person who continually refuses to try to do good and insist on being evil will never really ever accomplish anything.In Luke chapter 8 is the story of the seeds that on different kinds of soil. The seed that feel on good ground produced fruit and survived. The seed that feel on bad ground never could take hold so it died. What do we want to be today someone who is planted firm in God’s word or someone who just goes with whatever comes along?
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
As this chapter closes we see that if we use the wisdom and knowledge God has given us we will bear fruit and our reward is the crown of life. The word tells us we are known by the fruit we bear. While we are still on this earth we do see some of rewards God has for us in the blessings we receive, yet our greatest reward is eternity in Heaven with our God. While on the other hand the wicked also see judgement while hear on this earth but there final judgement is being cast into hell with Satan and his demons. We will reap what we sow. The bottom line here is that God rewards the righteous, while for the sinner He has judgement and punishment. Again let us all strive to lead as many as we can to a life with Jesus being the guiding light in their lives.
Proverbs 11:27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
A person who is seeking to do good usually does good for everybody they come in contact with and this is always pleasing to God. For those who do evil it comes back to them even though they think it will not. For those that trust in the money they have think it will buy their way into heaven but it will not. Nothing wrong wit having money but righteousness will get you more wealth than you handle. We see in verse 29 he that causes trouble in his own house will face the destruction of what he has and wind up serving the one who has the wisdom God in their life. These verses can be related to 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
We should all try to be the best servant of God we can to all we come in contact with.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
