(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)
(Proverbs 12:1-28)
1 One who loves discipline loves knowledge,
But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a person who devises evil.
3 A person will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A person will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised.
9 Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 One who works his land will have plenty of bread,
But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
12 The wicked person desires the plunder of evil people,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
14 A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
17 One who declares truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will endure forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy person does not roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a person is diligence.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
8 Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the poor and needy.
1 One who loves discipline loves knowledge,
But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a person who devises evil.
3 A person will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will rescue them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A person will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised.
9 Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 One who works his land will have plenty of bread,
But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
12 The wicked person desires the plunder of evil people,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
14 A person will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
17 One who declares truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will endure forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy person does not roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a person is diligence.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
"A prudent person conceals dishonor." Verse 16 stands out to me today. I know there are some Christians who will use verses like this to discredit the Bible's inerrancy, but they are not interpreting it correctly. We must study and keep portions of the Bible and the entire Bible in context.
This is not saying, "We shouldn't tattle." And it is not saying that if there is a crime committed, we should keep that to ourselves. Note that in verse 6 it says, "the mouth of the upright will rescue..." then in verse 7, "the wicked are overthrown..." so we are to speak up for justice. Looking ahead a bit in the scriptures, we find verses such as...
(Proverbs 31:8-9) 8 Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the poor and needy.
There are times we need to tell the right people of a wrong committed, but most definitely, there are situations where we should "conceal dishonor."
When we have been wronged by someone, we should go to them in private and try to reconcile with peace, love, patience and understanding. Especially if the person apologizes, why would we spread the news around that they had done something wrong? This would only create a bigger issue, and not just for that person but for ourselves! Plus, consider this, when we do something wrong (and we will) and then apologize for it, would we not want the other person to graciously forgive and keep the matter to themselves?
Words are powerful! They can destroy a person, or they can build someone up. They can add to a person's misery, or they can help. Whenever we can, we should try to encourage and equip each other. We can give good advice when the moment is right. And definitely when we are given an opportunity, we are to share the good news.
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