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PROVERBS 12: 1-28

PROVERBS TO HELP US LIVE

Old Testament Lesson #206

The book of Proverbs contains many wise sayings.

They are practical words filled with simple but powerful lessons that can help us to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Proverbs 12 is just one chapter in the overall book, but it is filled with many such wise sayings. These sayings can guide us and allow us to find favor with God. It is well summarized in verse 2, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man."

These words lay out a path for a righteous person to follow, a path that leads to eternal life. We see this in the concluding verse of the chapter, "In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality" (Proverbs 12:28). In between these verses are many sayings to help direct the servant of God down that path that leads to life.

The writer of the Proverbs draws our attention to this path by showing us a comparison between the wicked and the righteous. There are at least nine different verses that contrast the wicked to the righteous. Some good examples are: "The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm" (Proverbs 12:5-7).

We see in these wise words how the words of the righteous are helpful and seek to help people, rescuing them from trouble. We also see how important it is to be truthful in everything we say. "A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies ... Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment ... The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful" (Proverbs 12:17, 19, 21).

In addition to speaking truthful words, we also speak to build up and encourage people. We are told, "reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18). Such healing words can cheer when things we struggle with in daily life weigh us down. We read in verse 25, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Always try to use healing and kind words as we interact with others.

Listening is another helpful piece of advice and if we fail to listen we are being foolish. "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15). If we don't take this advice, we can be like the "evil man" who "is trapped by his sinful talk", as opposed to the "righteous man" who "escapes trouble" (Proverbs 12:13). The righteous can do this because "the fruit of his lips is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him" (Proverbs 12:14).

These are just a small sampling of the many wise sayings found in this chapter and in the book of Proverbs as a whole. May we learn from such sayings and live with the knowledge that "in the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality" (Proverbs 12:28).

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

? Being truthful and not lying is emphasized in several other proverbs. One notable one is found in Proverbs 6, which says: "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devices wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19).

? In the New Testament, James reminds us how powerful the tongue is. We can choose to use it for words of good or for bad. He writes: "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" (James 3:5-10).

? Jesus also gave many wise sayings as he taught men and women. He encouraged the people to listen to his words and to do them, putting them into practice. In Matthew he describes it this way: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Matthew 7:24-27).

? 2010 CRI ? P.O. Box 36269 ? Canton, Ohio 44735 ? 1-800-992-2144 ?

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PROVERBS 12: 1-28

PROVERBS TO HELP US LIVE

Old Testament Lesson #206

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The one who chases (1) FANTASIES lacks (7) JUDGMENT. (6) DILIGENT hands will rule, BUT not the(3) LAZY. A wise person (21) LISTENS to advice. The Lord favors a (19) GOOD person BUT condemns a (12) CRAFTY person. Plans of the (2) RIGHTEOUS are (16) JUST. The kindest acts of the (13) WICKED are (15) CRUEL. (9) EVIL people are trapped by their own (4) SINFUL talk. A truthful witness is (10) HONEST BUT a false (8) WITNESS tells (17) LIES. The wicked are (5) OVERTHROWN, BUT the(2) RIGHTEOUS stand (18) FIRM. There is (14) DECEIT in the hearts of those who plot (9) EVIL, BUT (11) JOY for those who promote peace. People are (23) PRAISED according to their (22) WISDOM. In the way of righteousness there is (20) LIFE.

? 2010 CRI ? P.O. Box 36269 ? Canton, Ohio 44735 ? 1-800-992-2144 ?

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