Introduction
‘Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Good people obtain favour from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.’ Proverbs 12:1-3
Discipline Leads To Knowledge
Here Solomon reminds us that the stupid man lacks the rational ability and acts by instinct and he condemns those who think more highly of those people who want to improve themselves.
Have you ever tried to pull or dig out a hedge? It’s really difficult, to say the least, this is what Solomon says about those who try to uproot the righteous, Colossians 2:6-7 / Ephesians 3:16-21.
‘A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.’ Proverbs 12:4
Have you ever had a toothache? I used to have a friend whose teeth were just pure rotten; they caused a lot of pain for him and ultimately, he would have to have them all removed.
A good wife complements a man, she enables him to realise status and success, Ephesians 5:22-24. A poor wife saps her husband’s abilities and constantly keeps him from doing his best. She disgraces and damages his reputation through incompetence and immorality.
‘The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised. Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.’ Proverbs 12:5-9
Have you ever heard of the phrase, ‘keeping up with the Jones’’? What does that phrase mean? It’s the idea of trying to live your life whilst comparing your life to those who are better off.
These verses commend the person who enjoys a modest but sure prosperity way of life but the person who pretends to be something they aren’t and then lacks necessities because of their vanity and overspending.
‘The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.’ Proverbs 12:10-12
When I read these verses, I think about those who stand up for animal rights. God has always stood up for animals’ rights and here He tells us He doesn’t approve of the abuse of animals. Solomon also says those who chase fantasies have no sense, this is those who seek to win the lottery, they believe that just one big deal, will set them up for life.
The stronghold is referring to speculative financial dealings. The root of the righteous endures because they are rooted in God and it flourishes because it’s well supported.
‘Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.’ Proverbs 12:13-16
Some people have all kinds of addictions, here Solomon says that some people are addicted to lying, and just like an alcoholic who won’t admit they are one. The fool has a reliance on their own opinions, thus making them deaf to the advice of the wise.
Have you ever had those times when you say something but later regretted saying it? As Christians we must always think before we speak, Ecclesiastes 5:2-12.
‘An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.’ Proverbs 12:17-23
The wise do not live behind a facade of falseness, that is the way of the fool. The wise man doesn’t talk too much, the wise man seeks to speak effectively, James 3:1-12.
‘Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labour. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.’ Proverbs 12:24-26
Hard work will keep us from even harder work. A good friend once said to be concerning anxiety, ‘Christians are just too blessed to be stressed,’ there’s a lot of truth in those words, Matthew 6:25-34 / 1 Peter 5:7.
Have you ever been hurt or let down by a close friend? A real friend would never want to hurt anyone, especially a friend when they are down. Christians should be in the caring business, going out of their way to help others, Galatians 6:10.
‘The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.’ Proverbs 12:27-28
Solomon finishes this chapter by reminding us that we won’t get anything out of something unless we put something into it, Proverbs 21:25.