Proverbs 12
Proverbs 12:1-28 (NLT)
1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
2 The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.
4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
7 The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.
8 A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
10 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.
18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21 No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24 Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26 The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.
27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28 The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.
The way of discipline inevitably yields good results. But, discipline with regard to the things of God yields much more than just earthly blessing. When the way of righteousness is not only chosen but diligently pursued, the result is godliness with its material, spiritual, and relational blessing. Many in the world gain earthly success – most notably in the entertainment and business realms. There is always a pattern of at least periods of discipline in these people’s lives, and when they proclaim no belief in Jesus it might appear that they are defying any need of Him, that you can be successful without even acknowledging Him. Validation from earthly success alone, though, is not reliable, because there is an end coming for everyone, both successful and failing. The success that will transcend the transition to eternity requires discipline in the ways of God, where pleasing Him as the motivation drives choices made and efforts given.
Discipline, then, is essential for any success, but the success that will secure things for eternity will only come from total service to a heart of love discovered in His presence. The discouragement of ill-placed efforts can be escaped and even avoided altogether through faithfulness to discover and adhere to the things that please the Father. Each step of righteousness has the potential for God’s wisdom yielding both earthly and heavenly fruit. The guide on the inside will produce much more than a former slave to sin. It will produce a person established in a way of life that has nothing to do with laziness with regard to both earthly and spiritual disciplines.
You know, what the Holy Spirit kept pointing out in this chapter was how much discipline is applied to our tongues, our lips and what ushers forth from them. We’ve been focusing on this as a church body: asking ourselves what are we saying over the corporate body, over our situations and ourselves. In verse 6: “the words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them.” Not with some kind of fancy quib or witty quote of men but with THE Word do we rescue and protect. Thank you Lord for your Word, your rhema and your logos Word, they are life.