Author: Jon Green

Proverbs 12 continues the wise sayings of Solomon as he contrasts the righteous from the wicked. In this chapter Solomon identifies differences in actions and speech between the two groups and provides several commands for the righteous. 

The wicked are foolish, sinful, proud people. They covet their neighbor. Solomon references their inability to take correction or advice. On the other hand, the righteous have a humble, teachable spirit which focuses on building a solid foundation of godliness that bears godly fruit. Our thoughts reveal our leanings toward righteousness or wickedness. The righteous replace the world’s way of thinking with God’s truth–the Bible. Shifting our daily thoughts and focus to God can change our life to a life that honors God. All of a sudden God’s Word isn’t simply a box to check or something that occupies the first thirty minutes of our day, but instead informs our entire worldview. As we go through the day, let’s be cognizant of the thoughts we have and make the choice to choose the path of the righteous.  

The next portion of the chapter references differences in speech between the righteous and the wicked. No one other than God knows our thoughts, but our spoken words are known to all. The wicked are foolish and always think they are right. This thinking and lack of self-control leads to deceitful speech and lies. Without question, the wicked say and do ungodly things. The righteous, however, speak with love, joy, and peace. The righteous are truthful and speak good, kind, and encouraging words to others.  There is no perfect human other than Jesus Christ himself, so we must acknowledge we make mistakes. The good news is that there is forgiveness in Christ and the pursuit of righteousness is continuous. Each day is a new day. Also, the righteous know to seek wisdom and understand the value of counsel. 

The last portion of Proverbs 12 provides characteristics and commands for the righteous: Work hard, be diligent, encourage others, and choose friends who lead you toward Jesus and God’s truths. Sadly, the wicked choose otherwise and are characterized as lazy, undiscerning, foolish, and engaged in unwise friendships. All of us can choose to pursue righteousness, for it is the correct path. Jesus is the path, and reliance on Him results in actions and speech of righteousness and ultimately life eternal. For Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He gives us a better way to live through Him. Let’s follow Him daily in life through faith and the pursuit of righteousness.

Proverbs 11 is a continuation in Solomon’s study of contrasts between the righteous and the wicked. Like a metronome clicking back and forth, the two opposite paths are described. What becomes clear is that wickedness is unlimited in its ability to bring destruction wherever it is fed. While the wicked man may find short term gains, ultimately “he who pursues evil will bring about his own death”. In other words, those who pursue evil will find themselves pursued by evil. The traps set for others will ensnare their own feet. Righteous or wicked, you get whatever you put into the world. 

This idea could easily be conflated with the concept of karma–that those who do good will receive what is good, and those who do bad will receive what is bad. Yet, this Proverb is more so an observation in practicalities. Wickedness is a poison wherever it appears, whether that be in families (v. 29), business (v. 6), neighborhoods (v. 9), leadership (v. 14), or any other area of our lives. Wickedness is a destroyer, and thus brings destruction to whoever wields it. This proverb, like many others that we will read in the days to come, is trying to paint us a full picture of what the righteous life (and the wicked life) really looks like.  

In the same way, the one who walks upright with the Lord brings life wherever he goes. The choice seems obvious, but the reality is that living righteously is frustrating and difficult. Like the metronome, we click back and forth between living as the righteous and the wicked. We feel caught between what the Spirit is calling us to do and what our flesh is pulling us towards. We are not alone in this struggle. Paul wrote in Romans, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Therefore, we must rely on Christ daily to guide us into wisdom and righteousness. 

The first nine chapters of Proverbs serve as an introduction to the book detailing the precepts and value of wisdom. This chapter starts a new section of the book, beginning the collection of Solomon’s proverbs. He addresses a wide-range of topics in the form of single verse sayings that deal with issues in our everyday lives. There is a disjointed organization in this chapter, with each proverb jumping around from one topic to the next. Solomon gives contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish, and the diligent and the idle. We are going to focus today specifically on the proverbs concerning our words. 

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about our words and is filled with great wisdom regarding how we are to speak. Our words and the words of others have incredible power. Proverbs 18:21 says that the tongue can bring life or death. It can encourage or discourage. It can build up or tear down. There are numerous ways that this chapter describes the tongue. For the wise, the tongue is depicted as a fountain of life (v. 11), choice silver (v. 20), and a place where knowledge is stored (v. 14). For the foolish, the tongue is depicted as something that conceals violence (v. 11), spreads slander (v. 18), and invites ruin (v. 14). What comes out of our mouth is evidence of either our wisdom or our foolishness. 

Many of us remember words that have been spoken over us. Either words that have lifted us up, or words that have torn us down. Some of the greatest hurts we might have felt are from the words of others. Words impact people. We get the opportunity as believers to speak words of life over those around us. Words that are kind. Words that are sweet. Words that are healing. Proverbs 16:24 says that “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” We can bring healing and sweetness to the souls of people simply through the words we use. Ephesians 4:29 tells us that we are not to let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. The words of the wise build up and benefit others.

Don’t neglect the small opportunities to encourage others with your words. Tell people that they matter, that they are valuable, and that their life has incredible purpose. Remind people that they are not alone, that the Lord is with them, and that you believe in them. Encourage people that they are made in the image of God, that they are beautiful, and that they are deeply loved. Speak the good news over people, that God loved them so much that He sent His son to die for them. Lets build one another up with our words and spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

Proverbs is well-known as a book of short verses of practical advice, which we will dive into starting tomorrow, but Proverbs 1-9 introduce us to the characteristics of the wise and foolish through the story of two women. We have met the characters of Wisdom and Folly (aka “the adulterous woman”) already in Proverbs 1-8, and Proverbs 9 brings them together in one chapter to give us a concise summary so we may recognize their call in our lives. We’ll take a look at the differences in these characters, and then dive into how that applies to our lives.

First, we see that wisdom values preparation; folly finds convenience. Wisdom prepares a place for those who are inexperienced, providing shelter and nourishment, investing in others. Folly, on the other hand, invests no effort, choosing to sit on her front porch and speak to those who happen by her way.

Next, we see that wisdom instructs; folly distracts. Wisdom broadcasts the call to come so that everyone can hear the invitation. She recognizes the cacophony of messages in this world and clearly tells all to come to her for help. Folly, meanwhile, distracts passers-by from their efforts, keeping them from their purpose.

Finally, wisdom offers meaning, but folly offers emptiness. Wisdom invites everyone to a safe place to learn truth and to live a meaningful life. Folly has nothing to offer but empty words and bad ideas that lead to death.

So we come to the end of this chapter with a good overview of the two paths we can choose. We can choose the path of Wisdom–an open invitation to come to a place intentionally prepared to meet all our needs and offering an abundant life. Or we can choose the path of Folly–a convenient option to the path of least resistance offering lies and emptiness. 

In our daily lives, this choice shows up in how we choose to spend our time, talents, and treasures. It may look like: the choice between doing what is right ethically or doing what is easy economically. It could be the difference between diving into God’s Word each morning or going back to sleep. Maybe it’s investing in a community need or buying something we don’t need. Or perhaps for you it’s arguing over worldly things instead of learning about Godly things. 

The choice between wisdom and folly started in the Garden of Eden and continues today. Jesus summarizes this situation in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Wisdom through God offers clarity to the confusion in this crazy broken world. We are called to refuse and avoid the convenience, distraction, and emptiness of folly that leads to confusion and emptiness. Instead, God calls us to wisdom–to value preparation, instruction, and truth guiding us to the meaningful life He designed for us. 

Proverbs 8 is a speech from Lady Wisdom, calling us to moral living. Lady Wisdom is not literally a human character. Solomon is using a literary device called personification, giving human-like attributes to the non-human concept of wisdom throughout these couple of chapters. This section of Proverbs, chapters 1-9, is distinctly different from the pithy statements of most of the book. Instead of giving us specific advice for when we are at a crossroads, Solomon first takes time to introduce us to both wisdom and folly. The first third of this book serves as an introduction to the actual proverbs. 

Verses 1-5 tell us who Lady Wisdom is giving her speech to. She raises her voice in the busiest and most visible parts of the city, and she addresses all mankind. By painting this word picture of a woman giving a speech in a city, Solomon teaches two things about wisdom. First, wisdom is available in all places. Second, wisdom is offered to anybody. We need neither to go anywhere special, nor possess a special level of intellect to obtain wisdom.

We see a repeated theme in verses 10-11 and 18-21, where wisdom is compared to gold, silver, and rubies. How is it that Solomon can say that wisdom is worth more than the most valuable possessions of his day? Wisdom can be defined as the ability to make moral decisions. For someone to be able to attain any sort of material wealth that is lasting, they must have this ability. If a thief steals gold, he can be caught and lose his wealth. But wisdom buys us far more than just an ability to attain precious materials, it also teaches us how to build up wealth that is not monetary. We are unable to live in a right relationship with our friends, family, and especially our Creator without having wisdom. We know that in these relationships we can find a type of joy that far outlasts anything that money can buy for us.

What a picture Proverbs 7 is of the deceitfulness of sexual sin (and sin in general). Throughout this chapter we watch the simple man become ensnared by the adulterous woman in the same way a fly is caught in a spider web. If we are not careful and vigilant, this will be our story. There is much for us to learn from this text but there are two immediate warnings we should learn from this chapter: we should be careful about where we walk and we should never try to walk through temptation by ourselves.

As the simple man walked down the street, the young man was undoubtedly fantasizing about what his night would hold. He was so consumed by his lust that he didn’t realize that every step he took moved him closer to the destruction and pain that would come for him in the morning. It is so easy to become distracted by the false promises of sin. Think about the false ways sin promises to fulfill us:

• “This is where life is found.” 
• “You will feel better if you just…” 
• “No one will ever know.” 

The reality is that sin will always lead to death, and it will rot you from the inside out if it goes unconfessed. The key to defending ourselves is in the first four verses of this proverb. We should memorize and live according to God’s Word. Ephesians 6 refers to God’s Word as the Sword of the Spirit, and we see Jesus defending against the Devil’s attacks with this sword in Matthew 4. We need to heed the warnings of these scriptures, or we will be defenseless when the time comes for us to decide which path we are going to take.

If there is somewhere in our lives that matches the description of “the street near her corner,” let us be weary of it. Do not wait another minute to loop in someone in your Life Group. Give them the tools to help you take another path. Make sure certain apps or websites are blocked on your phone, take a different route to the water cooler, or switch the time you go to the gym. There is no sacrifice that is too great if it will save you from something that “will cost (you your) life.

Since the Proverbs are mostly a collected grouping of wise sayings rather than one cohesive narrative, it can be difficult (at times) to isolate the theme of a chapter down to one idea. In chapter six. Solomon continues to instruct his son about the danger of indebtedness, laziness, and adultery. There is one specific grouping of verses that we will focus on today: verses 16-19.

The passage starts with a common Hebrew poetic method of stating things that God hates–the things that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a wicked-scheming heart, feet that rush to evil, a false witness, and…a person who stirs up conflict in the community. At first glance, it seems like one of those things is not like the others. Murder, lying under oath, and a wicked heart and feet that run to evil all make sense on that list. But, someone who simply is a pot-stirrer? Sure, nobody loves that person, but does God really have the same level of hatred for that as he does for murder?

It surely seems to be the case if we look throughout the rest of the Bible. Throughout scripture, we see that God really cares about unity. He is often seeking to unify, not to divide. Think about the following passages:

• The two have become one (Ephesians 5:31). 
• There is neither Greek nor Jew…for you are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). 
• Jesus’s prayer in John 17 is that we would be one as he and his Father are one (John 17:21). 

So there is something essential in the heart of God that abhors it when we delight in division. A level of abhorrence that rivals his feelings about the worst depravity of man.

And as we examine ourselves and our own habits, we see how easily we have slid into a world where sowing division is as simple as pushing a button, posting a meme, or liking an Instagram post. It is true that friendship with the world is enmity towards God (James 4:4) but we have so easily forgotten that God sent his son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him (John 3:17).

As we ponder the heart of God for the lost, evil, and dying masses, we know for certain that tribalism, animosity, and disdain are not what God would have us sow into the current cultural climate. Let us respond to the admonishment by putting down the phone, choosing not to add to the caustic conversation and instead to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14).

A theme throughout Scripture is that there is a way of foolishness and wickedness that leads to death and there is a way of righteousness and wisdom that leads to life. In this chapter, Solomon is going to show us both paths, as he pleads with his son to choose the path that brings about life.

In the first six verses we see that sexual immorality, specifically adultery, leads to death. Even though the temptation may seem to be sweeter than honey (which was the sweetest substance in Israel) and smoother than oil, it is actually as bitter as gall (the most bitter substance in Israel) and leads to death. He warns his son to keep far away from the adulteress woman (v. 8), and to “not go near the door of her house.” This is a principle repeated throughout the Scriptures. When we are faced with the enticement of evil and temptation of sin, walking in holiness isn’t merely telling yourself in your own strength to “not sin”, but instead making every effort by the grace and power of the Spirit to flee from sin. 

Paul encourages us in 2 Timothy 2:22 to “flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” We must not tip-toe around sin and try to get as close to the line as possible. We must run as far from our sin as we can, and instead chase after the way of righteousness and purity. Since our sinful desires are waging war against us, we must fight faithfully by fleeing!

Though sexual immorality leads to death, there is a way of righteousness and wisdom that brings about life. It is found in walking in God’s way and design. In this specific chapter, Solomon speaks of the joy that is found in walking in God’s design as it relates to sexual intimacy in the context of marriage. Intimacy one experiences in marriage ought to be reserved for one another alone in the safety and protection of the marriage covenant. There is joy, blessing, and satisfaction to be found in the love and physical intimacy of your spouse. This is the way God intended it. To walk in the righteousness and wisdom of purity leads to the good life God intends for us. This applies to other areas of our life too! No matter if you are single, or married, the eternal principle of walking in God’s design rather than pursuing our own sinful desires applies to us all. Sin ensnares us but walking in the wisdom of God’s best brings about freedom! 

The tone of this Proverb is thick with urgency. The author is resolved to communicate the absolute necessity to not just momentarily listen to his instruction, but to make sure his listener forever holds onto what they’ve heard. He says phrases like “pay attention”, “take hold of my words with all your heart”, “do not forget my words”. All of this communicates that this wisdom is both important, and easily ignored. Many people will not live in the way of wisdom and it will keep them from living in the way that life is meant to be lived. The author here is adamant that there is a path that leads to pain and a path that leads to peace. You cannot just live your own truth and find a steady path. It is only along the path of the righteous that people will find a life that gets better and better. This is why when you hear true wisdom, it must be guarded like it is a pearl of great price.

Since the writer is so insistent that we listen, we need to be honest with our ability to forget. Unless we take Biblical wisdom seriously, we will fall prey to the “wisdom” of the world. Every day we are inundated with thoughts and perspectives that come in opposition to Scripture. If we are to walk along the right paths, we need to be absolutely sure which wisdom is true and which is false. If we do not guard our doctrine closely we will be prone to traveling along the roads of the unrighteous. These paths are not just incorrect, but dangerous. 

Embracing Biblical wisdom also means assuming that you do not already possess all wisdom. Proverbs will tell us to do things that we don’t initially want to do. We must approach the Bible with a submissive and humble posture so we don’t just pick and choose the verses that we like. We must embrace the totality of Biblical wisdom, not just the catchy sayings. On our own, we will not choose the right path. However, with Scripture as our guide there are sure and steady paths available to those of us who will fight to listen. 

In Proverbs 3, we see Solomon’s continued instructions on how to live a wise and righteous life. On the surface it might seem as if this chapter is all over the place, but we can actually pick up on a pattern that is threaded from the beginning to end of Proverbs 3. Throughout this chapter Solomon outlines sets of instructions followed by the benefits of following those instructions. Some of these instructions involve submitting to wisdom, receiving God’s discipline, and how we should interact with the people around us that God has placed in our lives. 

Towards the beginning of this chapter, we see one of the most recognizable passages in all of Proverbs. Let’s re-read these often-memorized words of Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart    
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, 
and he will make your paths straight.

If you have spent much time in church at all, you have probably heard those words before (and maybe even heard a sermon or two about them). Most of us want to trust in the Lord with all our heart. But how? How do we do it when the seemingly powerful voices of the world around us are consistently nudging us to lean on our own understanding? 

First, we have to acknowledge how little of the big picture we’re able to see. As much as we wish our understanding of the world was even remotely equivalent to God’s, 1 Corinthians 1:25 says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” Our understanding is often driven by how we feel, not necessarily what we know to be true about God.

Secondly, we submit to him in all of our ways–both the large and small. If we wake up each day and submit each appointment, meeting, conversation, and interaction to God (no matter how significant or insignificant it might seem), we develop the muscle of living faithfully. The more we learn to live faithfully in the small parts of our lives, the more natural it will become for us to live faithfully in all parts of our lives.