Proverbs 12:1-28
This book of Proverbs is here to help us change who we are. That’s its purpose. When understood and applied, these short, pithy sayings instruct us on how to live an abundant life filled with joy, happiness, and righteousness. Not only does it help us live that sort of life now, but it shows us the way to eternal life through the righteousness of Christ and obedience to his ways. In virtually every chapter, it contrasts the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous, the behavior of the wise with the behavior of fools, so we can discern between the two and choose the right way of living.
My question to you is, “Has your life improved at all since we’ve begun studying this book together? Are you applying these wise sayings to your life?”
Let’s dig in and see what other treasures we can find in this chapter.
Watch the Proverbs 12 video to learn more or continue reading below:
Discipline, Favor, and Righteousness (1-3)
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. -Proverbs 12:1
Loves instruction: Instruction means discipline or correction. He who is willing to be corrected, he who loves discipline, is wise and loves knowledge. That means being humble and avoiding stubbornness or pride. We should strive to be teachable. Not only that, but we should hunger for the Word of God in such a way that we constantly discipline ourselves to study it, yes, even for self-correction!
Hates reproof: Someone who is too proud to be disciplined or corrected is foolish. They know it all and are going to foolishly do it their “own” way.
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. -Proverbs 12:2
Obtain favor: If we want God’s favor, we must strive to be good men and avoid wicked devices so that we are not condemned.
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. -Proverbs 12:3
Root of the righteous: Righteousness roots a person in, so they cannot be moved. They have deeply immersed themselves in truth. They are here to stay, while a wicked man has no roots and will only be with us a short while.
Bringing Glory to Your Husband (4)
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. -Proverbs 12:4
A virtuous woman is a crown: A virtuous woman can bring so many blessings to her husband, including a good name.
Watch: One Woman’s Prayer Saves The Nation
Rottenness in his bones: For young people thinking about marriage, it’s wise to pick a wife who will bring health to your flesh and your soul rather than someone who will consume you from the inside out with strife, contention, and other problems.
Think about this on a spiritual level. As Christians, we represent the bride of Christ. Do we live in such a way that brings him glory, or do we represent him in a way that brings disgrace to his name? Obviously, we want to live in a way that reflects well upon him, in a way that we can be a crown of virtue to him. Let us strive for that!
The Counsel of the Righteous vs. The Wicked (5-8)
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. -Proverbs 12:5
Counsels of the wicked: Who you take counsel from is important. A righteous person will try to give you counsel to help you, while counsel from a wicked person is meant to deceive you. This applies in so many ways. Please consider this about the news and media. The corporate media have an agenda. Their agenda is to deceive you into supporting the wicked, whereas many alternative media sources/people genuinely want to counsel you with the truth, because they want to help and not hurt.
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. -Proverbs 12:6
Lie in wait for blood: An alarming illustration of this proverb is happening today. The neocons and other warmongers are like the wicked lying in wait for blood, always trying to justify a reason for going to war. However, the righteous strive to save people from needless death and destruction.
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. -Proverbs 12:7
House of the righteous shall stand: It should be the goal of every father and mother to guide their house in righteousness, to make it something that will stand forever. Leave that kind of a legacy behind!
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. -Proverbs 12:8
Commended according to wisdom: Two men that come to my mind our Joseph and Daniel. Both were commended and even exalted by foreign kings for their prudence and their wisdom. The proverb is simple. If you want to be commended, gain wisdom. Anyone can do it if they make an effort.
Becoming a Master Instead of a Servant (9-11)
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. -Proverbs 12:9
And hath a servant: I find this proverb interesting. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the idea of getting a good education so that you can find an employer to hire you, it seems the option promoted the most in the Bible is for the Christian to seek to be their own boss. To be an entrepreneur, a job creator, i.e., a master instead of a servant. Think of the blessings that Christian business owners can and do bring to others! If this is your cup of tea, go for it.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. -Proverbs 12:10
Regards the life of his beast: Righteous people are kind to their animals. Now, of course, we know we are allowed to kill animals for food. Nothing wrong with that. Eating meat is sanctioned throughout the whole Bible, and there is no sin in killing for that purpose. But we are to raise animals with tender love and care before we thoughtfully and ethically butcher them for our consumption. Think of David. There is a reason God chose him to be the king of Israel. No doubt God chose David because he had displayed great love and care for his sheep, so much so that he even risked his life defending them against a lion and a bear! (See 1 Samuel 17:34-36)
Before taking on a leadership position over others, it would be a great idea first to learn how to care for animals. It is there that many can learn the principles of mercy and compassion.
Tender mercies of the wicked are cruel: It’s been known for years that people who are cruel to animals are more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. A Northeastern University study found that these individuals were 5 times more likely to exhibit these behaviors.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. -Proverbs 12:11
He that tills his land: Simple as this, if you work hard and care for the land, it will provide you with food, but a man void of understanding will follow the ways of thieves and lazy people, resulting in being unsatisfied in life. What a blessing it is to see the Christian Homestead movement encouraging and teaching people to return to their roots, grow their own food, raise their own chickens, and engage in many other such activities. I can’t help but think that the ideal state of man before the fall was to spend his days working in the Garden, the Garden of Eden. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to get back to that way of life as much as possible now, even before paradise is restored on earth once again. Homesteading is almost a way to get a piece of heaven now!
Watch: God is No Socialist, He is a Job Creator
Stability of the Righteous vs. Instability of the Wicked (12-13)
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. -Proverbs 12:12
Net of Evil vs. Root of Righteous: Evil people desire or look for methods (nets) that other evil people use to take advantage of others, while righteous people live lives that bless others. Think con artists. Roots obtain nutrients from the soil over time, whereas a net just takes. A net is a trap. Con artists and thieves spend a considerable amount of time devising various traps. Our lives should be so rooted in truth, absorbing truth, not only to sustain ourselves but also to bless others with the fruits of righteousness.
Psalms 1:1-3 reinforces this concept by saying the person who delights in and meditates on the law of the LORD “will be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in his season.”
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. -Proverbs 12:13
Snared by lips: Our lips, our words can be such a dangerous trap for us. We should guard our speech as we would our lives, for not only our lives, but also our souls, depend on it. What we say often comes back to judge us. That’s why Jesus warned us that: “Every idle word that men speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
In another place, Jesus says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Using Your Mouth for Good, Not Evil (14-19)
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him. -Proverbs 12:14
Fruit of his mouth: Good speech, speaking words that help others, rather than hurting others, has a way of bringing joy back to the one speaking them. So important. Want to be satisfied with life? Practice disciplining your speech. Use your tongue for good and not evil.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. -Proverbs 12:15
Fool is right in his own eyes: I don’t ever think I’ve met a fool who doesn’t think he is wise. Fools always think they know it all and do not need godly wisdom or counsel.
A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. -Proverbs 12:16
A fools wrath: Foolish people are quick to anger; they live on the edge of impatience, continually ready to snap at anyone for the slightest infraction.
Prudent man covers shame: A wise person is the opposite of a foolish person in that they will be patient when things go wrong, or if someone wrongs them. Instead of blowing up and making a big deal out of every little thing, a prudent person overlooks many wrongs rather than dwelling on them. Also, if someone commits a sin and sincerely repents of it, there is no need to publicize their sin to the whole world. Save them the shame and embarrassment, and keep it a private matter.
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. -Proverbs 12:17
He that speaks truth: The greatest truth you can speak is the Word of God. God’s word is the ultimate truth that shows the way to righteousness. Speaking any word that contradicts God’s Word is to bear false witness and deceit.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. -Proverbs 12:18
Speaks like piercings of a sword: Be gentle/patient in speech, don’t be so harsh with your words. Now, of course, there were times when Jesus was very critical of the Pharisees, but this was done to rebuke them, not to attack them unnecessarily. They needed to be rebuked in that way. The point is that when dealing with others, we should strive to speak to them in a way that’s loving and helpful, rather than being harsh and hurtful whenever possible.
Tongue of the wise is health: This is the definition of speaking the truth in love. A wise person, instead of being unnecessarily harsh, finds a way to communicate in a manner that benefits others, bringing health to their soul and body.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. -Proverbs 12:19
Lying tongue is but for a moment: An example of this is the Antichrist. His time of lies and deception will only last 3.5 years. Then he will be destroyed in the lake of fire along with the false prophet (Revelation 13:5, Revelation 19:20). And if we want to be established forever, we must make it a habit of speaking only truth, for “all liars” will also be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
Disciplining Your Tongue In Righteousness (20-23)
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. -Proverbs 12:20
Counsellors of peace: A counselor of peace is someone who gives wholesome advice to others with the intent of helping rather than taking advantage of them. This is someone who wants to help others achieve health and prosperity, rather than exploiting them for their own selfish gain.
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. -Proverbs 12:21
No evil happen to the just: The just or righteous can and will at times suffer persecution, or go through times of trial, but they will not bring calamity upon themselves like evil people do. For even the trials of the righteous benefit the righteous, but mischief falling on the head of the wicked is something different altogether.
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. -Proverbs 12:22
Are His delight: Here we are given a simple way to please the LORD. Don’t lie because He detests lying, but deal in truth and you will become a delight to the LORD!
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. -Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge: Sometimes it is better to keep things confidential rather than to feel the need to tell everyone. For example, when Saul was first anointed as Israel’s king by the prophet Samuel, he didn’t announce it to the world, as this could have appeared prideful to others and caused unnecessary contention or political unrest—but instead kept it to himself until Samuel announced it to all Israel (1 Samuel 10:16).
This proverb may also apply to those who want to start a new business or achieve a new goal. As exciting as it is to tell others about what you want to do, sometimes it’s just better to do it and tell people about it after it is accomplished. Sometimes, when you share your great plans with people, they might not think they’re so great and may discourage you from moving towards your goals.
Watch: Taming Your Tongue
Hard Work Brings Advancement (24)
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. -Proverbs 12:24
Hand of the diligent: Hard work is so important. Throughout the Proverbs, we are encouraged to be diligent in our work and to cultivate a strong work ethic. And we’re told that being lazy is foolish. This same teaching is mirrored many times in the New Testament. Jesus distinguished the two in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the Parable of the Son Who Didn’t Work (Matthew 21:28-32), and other such teachings. The Apostle Paul even said that if a man refuses to work, he shouldn’t be allowed to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Using Your Tongue to Help, Not Hurt (25-26)
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. -Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man: Heaviness of the heart could be sadness, depression, fear, worry, you name it. As Christians, we should strive to help bring others up when their heart are heavy. A good word can be so uplifting.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. -Proverbs 12:26
The righteous is more excellent: A righteous person is excellent because he strives to guide his neighbor into truth, whereas a wicked person tries to seduce his neighbor in some way to take advantage of them.
Finish What You Start (27)
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. -Proverbs 12:27
The slothful man: Finish what you start, be diligent. It’s not only lazy, but foolish to spend a lot of time hunting an animal, and then be too lazy to cook it; it’s a complete waste.
The Pathway to Life (28)
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. -Proverbs 12:28
Way of righteousness is life: Every righteous act we do leads to eternal life through our faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. His moral law not only leads to eternal life, but it also leads to a blessed and joyful life right now, if we choose to obey.