Proverbs 12
Proverbs 12 is a series of wise statements made by King Solomon. It is not just a comparison between right living and foolishness, but also a series of principles and general truths on how we should live our lives. Proverbs is not a book of promises, but rather a book of principles. Proverbs 12 is broken up into three main truths: Path of Wisdom (1-4), Power of Words (5-14), and Truth verses Lies (15-28).
Path of Wisdom (1-4)
One of the things that I love about Proverbs is that Solomon does not mince words. He clearly lays out what we ought to do, and the negative things that happen when we don’t. In verse 1 it states, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” In a world where everyone is constantly looking to be the smartest in the room, what we are seeing is that a true sign of wisdom is a person who is disciplined. A person that takes corrections. A person that learns from their mistakes. The narrative around correction has been corrupted to only exist in the negative, when in reality this is a catalyst for growth.
Power of Words (5-14)
In verses 5-8, Solomon contrasts the wicked with the righteous. Verse 6, “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them”. There is the power of life and death in our words. How many of us can still remember a cross word we heard in our childhood, or a particularly unkind thing we received as an adult? When someone does speak wickedness to us, is our first response to retaliate? Or to gossip about them? Or to wallow in self pity? Maybe we are on the other side, where we have been eviscerating people with our vitriol. Are we laying in wait for blood trying to tear them apart? The antidote to this is, Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”. The key part to this is “helpful for building others up”. Verse 6 says, the “speech of the upright rescues them”. We want to be women who rescue people through our actions and our words. That does not mean that we withhold correction when it is needed, however it does mean, checking our heart and motivations before we speak to make sure that we are saying things for the purpose of building someone up. Not just pointing out their faults to try and hide our own.
Truth versus Lies (15-28)
One of the things that I constantly talk to my students about, is being a person of honesty and integrity. As high schoolers, they often are focused on getting the grade they want with the least amount of effort possible. One way they try to achieve this is through cheating. When I inevitably catch them, I always have the, “It’s better to take the L and fail but be honest, then it is to depend on cheating and compromise your character in the process”. The same applies here. Verse 17 says, “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.” Verse 19-20 “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”. Telling the truth is not always easy, especially when it could potentially lead to less than desirable consequences, however God is clear in His feelings towards it. Verse 22, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy”. Let us be women who are honest and trustworthy.
One of the most significant ways that we reflect Jesus to others is by how we treat them; whether it’s through living a disciplined life or speaking words of life and truth over them. My prayer for all of us is that we would live to this end as we honor Christ.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you typically respond to correction?
- Has there been a time in your life where you have been on the receiving end of unkind words that you still are holding on to today? Even words that you have said about yourself?
- Describe a time when you have used your words to positively impact someone.
- Is there anyone in your life that you need to confess that you lied to them? Is there someone that you need to forgive who has lied to you?
Dear God,
I acknowledge that You are the way, the truth and the life. Thank you for the love and grace that you have shown me. I pray that you would give me wisdom to discern your truth from lies and I ask that you would help me to honor you with my words. Help me to embrace truth and speak to others in a manner that reflects the love of Christ. Lord, I ask that you heal me from the unkind words I have heard or said in my past, and help me to forgive those who have said them. I also ask you to help me forgive those in my life who have lied to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!