Proverbs 11:1-31
In this chapter, we’ll learn many timeless truths that apply to every generation of man. We’ll see how the the age-old deceptive practice of unjust balances is used today, understand that riches can’t help you in the day of judgment but righteousness will, explore the principle of reaping what you sow, recognize the evils of gossip, value the importance of winning souls over winning arguments, and so much more.
Do you want to live a life you can be proud of? Let’s dig in and find out how.
Watch the Proverbs 11 video to learn more or continue reading below:
Fairness In Business and Judgment (1)
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. -Proverbs 11:1
False balance is an abomination. Before the modern era, scales and balances were used to measure the weight or mass of objects for business transactions and determine their worth according to weight. A false balance would be a rigged (calibrated) scale to give a false weight to skim extra profit or defraud others.
This fraudulent practice is an abomination to the LORD.
It’s important to know that this proverb has even wider applications than rigging an actual scale in your favor. This statement applies to any form of unjust business practice. Anytime someone rigs things to come out in their favor, and misleads others to do so, that is using a “false balance”.
It goes even deeper than this. Any time you administer justice or judgment in a way that favors one person over another, that is a false balance. Justice must be equal for all, rich or poor, friend or stranger. This can be tough, but we must always strive for a just balance.
It is written: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: though shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor” (Leviticus 19:15).
As far as economic injustice goes, the Federal Reserve Bank is a primary example. Though with the name “Federal,” many are tricked into thinking it is a government institution, to the contrary, the Federal Reserve is a privately owned bank that has the power to manipulate the scales and balances of our economy in a way that favors the wealthy elite while oppressing the working class.
Watch: Micah 2: A Den of Thieves
There are many different ways the Federal Reserve does this, some of which are very sophisticated methods difficult for most of us to understand. But probably the most obvious way the Federal Reserve uses unjust balances is by devaluing our currency through inflation. They simply print money out of thin air and inject it into the economy, and now every dollar that was already out there (your savings account) is worth less than it was worth when you earned it.
This proverb was explicitly written to warn us about unjust practices.
Benefits of Humbleness, Integrity, and Righteousness (2-4)
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. -Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes: Shame is always the result of pride. Just look at all of the shame that Satan has brought upon himself and others through his pride.
With the lowly is wisdom: To be lowly is to be someone who doesn’t exalt themselves. This is wise. And ultimately, the wise are promoted anyway.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. -Proverbs 11:3
Shall guide them: Integrity will guide you down the right paths, which bring blessings to you. But perverseness, choosing wicked paths, brings destruction.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. -Proverbs 11:4
Day of wrath: Ultimately, the day of wrath is the day when God unleashes his anger upon an evil and sinful world. There have been times throughout history when God has done this, but ultimately, this day is in the future, during the Great Tribulation, just prior to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
No amount of money will save people from this; only the righteous who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ will be delivered from God’s righteous anger (Revelation 12:17). As it is written:
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH is come; and who shall be able to stand?” – Revelation 6:15-17
Watch Revelation 1: The Day of The Lord
You Reap What You Sow (5-8)
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. -Proverbs 11:5-6
Fall by his own wickedness: This is a common theme in the Bible, what a man sows he will also reap. If a man sows wickedness, that same sort of wickedness often falls on him. If you are a gossip, someone will gossip about you. If you are a thief, someone will steal from you, and on the list goes.
There was a Canaanite king named Adoni-bezek who cut off the thumbs and toes of captured kings to humiliate and make them unfit for battle. Can’t hold a sword or run without your thumbs and toes. Well, guess what. When Israel captured Adoni-bezek, they cut off his thumbs and toes (Judges 1:6-7), and he knew that it was a punishment from God.
Pharaoh had all the Israelite male infants thrown into the sea (Exodus 1:22); later on, God drowned all the host of Pharaoh in the sea as they pursued the Israelites (Exodus 14:27-28).
In the place where the dogs liked the blood of Naboth, murdered by Jezebel, the dogs would eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel (1 Kings 21:23).
It is much better to treat others the way you wish to be treated. Jesus said this is the entire essence of the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12).
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. -Proverbs 11:7-8
Hope of unjust men: Unjust men have no hope, as they are destined for the lake of fire.
Righteousness Protects, Wickedness Destroys (9-11)
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. -Proverbs 11:9
Hypocrite with his mouth: Hypocrites often love to use their words to try and destroy others, thinking that it builds themselves up. Tearing others down in an attempt to make yourself look good is a sick game that benefits no one.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. -Proverbs 11:10
When the wicked perish there is shouting: Jubilation. It’s natural to be joyful when a tyrant or an evil person is gone, and oftentimes calls for celebration. Moses and the children of Israel sang a song of joy when God drowned the Egyptian army, saying, “Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:21).
When Mystery Babylon falls, God says, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her” (Revelation 18:20).
Psalms 58:10-11 says, “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.”
Needless to say, rejoicing at the destruction of the wicked doesn’t appear to be something to be ashamed of, but rather something that is commanded.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. -Proverbs 11:11
City is exalted: When righteous leaders are in charge of a city, it is exalted with the blessings they bring upon it. That’s why good leadership is so important.
Overthrown by mouth of the wicked: Godless leadership destroys cities. We’re seeing this everywhere in America today. Just look at Minneapolis, minutes from where I grew up. The city is now a dangerous, cursed place because it has a wicked governor and mayor.
Watch: Jeremiah 38: Devestating Consequences of Weak Leadership
Harming Others Through Gossip (12-13)
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. -Proverbs 11:12
Despises his neighbor: Loving our neighbors is so important. It is so much better to hold your peace in various circumstances than to start unnecessary conflict.
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. -Proverbs 11:13
Talebearer reveals secrets: Talebearers or gossipers love to uncover secrets about others that no one else knows. Did you hear about so-and-so? Oh my gosh, they are such a horrible person. You’ve been around those people who seem to thrive off of other people’s shortcomings. It is best to avoid those kinds of conversations at all costs.
Conceals the matter: Someone with a faithful spirit will do the opposite of a gossip. If someone makes a mistake or is having a hard time with something, they’ll try and cover for that person, to make sure the matter stays private in order to protect that person from ridicule and shame.
A word of caution, though. One should not conceal the sins of a habitual sinner whose behavior is endangering or destructive toward others and who shows no desire to change. Those kinds of people need to be exposed, and it is not being a talebearer or a gossip when one does expose such an evil person.
There is a big difference between someone who makes a mistake now and then and a habitual sinner who feels no shame for their actions.
As Christians, we are to expose false prophets and other kinds of wicked people.
1 Timothy 5:20 says: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”
Importance of Wisdom and Honor (14-16)
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. -Proverbs 11:14
Multitude of counsellors: Leaders should never think they are too wise to seek advice from others. Wise advice from others should be welcomed. Don’t let pride get in the way.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. -Proverbs 11:15
Surety: This means promising to make good the debt for others. Not a smart thing to do, unless you want to risk being in bondage for other people’s debt.
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. -Proverbs 11:16
Retainers of honor: A woman who retains her honor is precious and beautiful. It should be the goal of every Christian woman to be known as honorable and pure.
Strong men: Some translators translate this as cruel men instead of strong men. They say that while character and honor are important to a gracious woman, cruel men only think about attaining riches.
Doing Good Brings Goodness To Your Own Soul (17-19)
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. -Proverbs 11:17
His own soul/flesh: When you do good to others, you do good to your soul, but when you wrong others, you bring trouble upon yourself. You reap what you sow. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated. If nothing else, do this for yourself, but it’s much better to do it out of love for others.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. -Proverbs 11:18-19
Sure reward: When you sow righteousness in this world, you will be rewarded, in this life now and/or the one to come. You can count on it.
Foolishness Destroys Natural Beauty (20-23)
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. -Proverbs 11:20-21
Froward heart: King David prayed and said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalms 51:10). How is your heart? Have you made similar requests to God?
As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. -Proverbs 11:22
Jewel of gold in a swine’s snout: This is an ugly picture of an otherwise attractive woman. What a waste of that natural gift. What truly makes a woman beautiful is wisdom. No matter how appealing a woman is, if she is a fool, it turns her beauty into ugliness.
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. -Proverbs 11:23
Desire of the righteous: This theme is often repeated in the Proverbs book. The future of the righteous is bright, while the future of the wicked is gloom and doom. It’s our choice. What kind of a future do we want?
The Blessings of Generosity (24-28)
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. -Proverbs 11:24-25
Scatters and yet increases: These two proverbs teach us the principle of generosity. When we give, God will increase our wealth. When we are cheap and selfish, God will see that we become poor.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. -Proverbs 11:26
He that withholds corn: This refers to people who have plenty of something but hold onto it to increase demand/price. This is what we call price gouging—drastically increasing the prices of essential goods during a time of crisis. Putting profit ahead of serving others is a sinful practice.
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. -Proverbs 11:27
Diligently seeks good: You will be blessed if you practice diligently doing the right things. Seek mischief, and it will come back on your head.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. -Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in riches: Throughout the Bible, there is no sin in being rich; it’s only sinful when you get riches fraudulently or put your trust in them.
Winning Souls over Winning Arguments (29-31)
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. -Proverbs 11:29
Troubles his own house: What sense does it make to worry about your own house? To do so is to destroy your inheritance. I can’t help but think of how many people ruin their marriages to lose everything they’ve worked for years. It makes no sense. When a husband or wife attacks the other, they are attacking themselves, as well as destroying the future inheritance that could be left to their children, and that goes much further than money or goods.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. -Proverbs 11:30
Tree of life: Righteous people live their lives in such a way as to bring life to others.
Watch: Revelation 22 For Kids: Tree of Life
He that wins souls: If you stop and think about it, as Christians, winning souls is our life’s purpose. Now there are many ways to do this. Simply living a life of righteousness as an example to others wins souls. Standing up against wickedness wins souls. Calling people to the Gospel through repentance wins souls.
Those are all ways to win souls. However, having the mindset of winning souls can help prevent us from making many mistakes in life. For instance, if you are discussing or debating something, having the mindset of winning the soul vs. winning the argument will help you speak words out of love vs. pride of being right.
“Seek to win souls over winning arguments.”
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. -Proverbs 11:31
Recompensed in the earth: It’s a sobering thought that the wicked will get what they have coming to them, even more so than the righteous. If that doesn’t put the fear of God in you, I don’t know what else will.
Be sure to strive to apply all these proverbs to your life. A life of honesty, integrity, and generosity will bring blessings, but a life filled with dishonesty, gossip, and selfishness will bring trouble.