If You Love Learning And Wise People Take Advice
Proverbs 12:1-28
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- In meeting someone new, do you: (a) Shake hands? (b) Fill the void with small talk? (c) Think first, speak later? (d) Wear your feelings on your sleeve?
- If your use of words were compared to the way you drive a car, what kind of "talker" are you: (a) Cautious, looking both ways? (b) Fast, running the stop lights, cutting corners? (c) Egocentric, tooting your own horn? (d) Distracted, watching the girls or guys go by? (e) Reckless, with a few fender-benders?
#People = The Righteous, The Wicked, The Wise, The Foolish
#Time =
#Place =
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness
in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his
beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of
bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of
his lips,[a]
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied
with good,
and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 Whoever speaks[b] the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[c]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[d]
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
Wisdom
contrasts righteousness and wickedness.
- Character Counts (12:1–14): The Lord is happy with those who are good but condemns the wicked.
- The Wise Weigh Their Words (12:15–16): “Fools think they need no advice.”
- Words Can Wound (12:17–23): “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”
- The Worker Wins (12:24–28): A hard worker becomes a leader.
- Path of Wisdom (Verses 1-4)
- Power of Words (Verses 5-14)
- Diligence versus Laziness (Verses 15-28)
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- How many proverbs can you find here which refer to speech? Why is one's speech so important in marriage? In counseling? In civil justice? In peace-making? In befriending?
- Altogether, what do these proverbs say positively and negatively about the power of mere words? About the value of true talk? The venom of sinful talk? Who reaps more of the consequences for good? For evil?
- Verse 14 links words to the theme of work (also 14:23). What is the point of this connection? How might a career built on lies and one built on honesty illustrate this point?
- How are we to handle advice (v. 15), insults (v. 16) and anxiety (v. 25)? How would that approach work on the job? In the home?
- If generosity or helping others is a virtue, what does verse 23 mean (see 10:14)?
- "Working hard" and "diligence" contrast with "chasing fantasies" and "laziness" (vv. 11, 24, 27; see 28:19; 10:4; 19:24). What's the point of each contrast? When is it okay to rest from our labors? When is it okay to let our money or our employees work in our stead? When is it okay to enjoy our possessions?
- Regarding this theme of work, what does Solomon say to your culture about: (a) Dreamers who don't do the actual labor but chase "fantastic" ideas? (b) Get-rich-quick schemes vs. sound financial planning, both of whom would sooner let their money work for them? (c) Welfare recipients and the roots of poverty? (d) "Workaholics" and the roots of their disease?
- Subject the proverbs in verses 1,3,13,18-19 and 21 to a "True-False" test. According to you, which proverbs ring true “always," "sometimes" and "never"?
- As in 12:9 and 13:7, when have you pretended to be somebody you are not? How were you found out?
- What "favor from the Lord" (v. 2) are you thankful for? What other favor do you seek? Why?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Key
Topics in this chapter of Proverbs
#Wicked
#Righteous #Speech #Fools #Wisdom #Deceit #Favor
#Wicked —
“A man shall not be established by wickedness (Proverbs 12:3).
“The counsels of the wicked are deceit” (Proverbs 12:5).
“The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood” (Proverbs 12:6).
“The wicked are overthrown, and are not” (Proverbs 12:7).
“The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel” (Proverbs 12:10).
“The wicked desire the net of evil men” (Proverbs 12:12).
“The wicked shall be filled with evil” (Proverbs 12:21).
“The way of the wicked causes them to err” (Proverbs 12:26).
#Righteous —
“The root of the righteous shall not be moved” (Proverbs 12:3).
“The thoughts of the righteous are just” (Proverbs 12:5).
“The mouth of the upright shall deliver them” (Proverbs 12:6).
“The house of the righteous shall stand” (Proverbs 12:7).
“A righteous man regards the life of his beast” (Proverbs 12:10).
“The root of the righteous yields fruit” (Proverbs 12:12).
“The righteous shall come out of trouble” (Proverbs 12:13).
“There shall be no mischief happen to the righteous” (Proverbs 12:21).
“The righteous is a guide to his neighbor” (Proverbs 12:26).
“In the way of righteousness is life: And in the pathway thereof is no death” (Proverbs 12:28).
#Speech —
“In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man” (Proverbs 12:13).
“A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth” (Proverbs 12:14).
“He that utters truth shows forth righteousness; But a false witness deceit” (Proverbs 12:17).
“There is that speaks rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise heals” (Proverbs 12:18).
“The lip of truth shall be established forever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).
“Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah” (Proverbs 12:22).
“The heart of fools proclaims foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).
“A good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25).
#Fools —
“A fool’s vexation is presently known” (Proverbs 12:16).
“The heart of fools proclaims foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).
#Wisdom —
“A man shall be commended according to his wisdom” (Proverbs 12:8).
“He that is wise hearkens unto counsel” (Proverbs 12:15).
“A prudent man conceals shame” (Proverbs 12:16).
“The tongue of the wise is health” (Proverbs 12:18).
“A prudent man conceals knowledge” (Proverbs 12:23).
#Deceit —
“A false witness, deceit” (Proverbs 12:17).
“A lying tongue is but for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).
“Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah” (Proverbs 12:22).
“The way of the wicked causes them to err” (Proverbs 12:26).
#Favor —
“A man shall be commended according to his wisdom” (Proverbs 12:8).
“Better is he that is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than he that honors himself, and lacks bread” (Proverbs 12:9).
FOOLS DISREGARD WISDOM
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). “A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent” (Proverbs 15:5). Such a person will turn his back on the very instruction that would make something of him. He pays no attention to what others try to tell him. He goes on his way, not realizing he has turned his back upon sound counsel. Proverbs 24:7 puts it so briefly, but so correctly. “Wisdom is too high for a fool.”
Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.” We have all seen living demonstrations of this. We may not always see fit to do everything that everybody tries to get us to do, but we should give sensible consideration to those things we are told. Probably most things we can accept, and we should.
Proverbs 10:8 continues, “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” And Proverbs 29:9 says, “If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” In this last passage, you will notice the usual responses given by fools to the wise efforts of others in their behalf—they will either get angry (rage) or make fun (laugh). Wisdom is too high for fools, but they don’t know it.
- Righteous and Wicked Talk Proverbs 10:20-21, 31-32; 11:11; 12:13-14; 13:2; 15:28; 17:4
- Controlled Speech Proverbs 15:1; 17:27; 25:15
- Appropriate Speech Proverbs 15:23; 16:21, 24; 25:11; 27:14
- Power of Tongue Proverbs 18:20-21
##Honesty
- Proverbs 4:1–27
- Proverbs 5:1–23
- Proverbs 6:12–15
- Proverbs 10:18
- Proverbs 11:1
- Proverbs 11:3
- Proverbs 12:17
- Proverbs 12:19
- Proverbs 12:22
- Proverbs 12:5
- Proverbs 13:5
- Proverbs 14:25
- Proverbs 14:5
- Proverbs 16:11
- Proverbs 16:13
- Proverbs 16:28
- Proverbs 16:30
- Proverbs 17:20
- Proverbs 17:26
- Proverbs 17:4
- Proverbs 17:7
- Proverbs 19:22
- Proverbs 19:28
- Proverbs 19:5
- Proverbs 19:9
- Proverbs 20:10
- Proverbs 20:14
- Proverbs 20:17
- Proverbs 20:23
- Proverbs 21:28
- Proverbs 21:6
- Proverbs 24:26
- Proverbs 24:28–29
- Proverbs 25:14
- Proverbs 25:18
- Proverbs 26:18–19
- Proverbs 26:23–28
- Proverbs 27:5
- Proverbs 28:13
- Proverbs 28:16
- Proverbs 28:18
- Proverbs 28:23
- Proverbs 28:6
- Proverbs 29:12
- Proverbs 29:27
- Proverbs 30:1–9
- Jeremiah 17:9
- Job 24:1–25
#Counsel
- Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
- Proverbs 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
- Proverbs 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
- Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
- Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
- Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
- Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
- Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
- Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
- Proverbs 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
- Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
- Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
- Proverbs 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
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