The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

Proverbs 12:6 ESV

Words matter. Do you realize that your words can reveal your heart. Note the contrast in imagery used here: death vs. deliverance. The words of the wicked are deadly. The words of he upright provide deliverance.

What is the pattern of your speech? Are your conversations and comments filled with destruction; cutting remarks, sarcasm, criticism, etc? If so, you should recognize how this reflects your heart. “I’m just joking” isn’t a free ticket to hurt others with our words.

Again, notice that the words of the upright provide deliverance. In other words, they are encouraging, helpful words. That doesn’t mean there is never a word of criticism, but this criticism is corrective in nature, not destructive.

As you reflect over your words, do you hear words of deliverance? If so, carry on. If not, consider your heart.

A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

    but a man of evil devices he condemns.

Proverbs 12:2 ESV

Here, the author once again uses contrast to make an important point. Good vs evil. Favor vs. condemns.

The point is rather straightforward as is the choice that is offered to the reader. Do you want the Lord’s favor (i.e., acceptance) or do you want his condemnation? There is a distinct path that leads to each. Choose wisely.

No one is established by wickedness,

    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

Proverbs 12:3 ESV

Here, the author is focusing on the foundation of the wicked vs. the foundation of the righteous. Wickedness does not provide a firm foundation regardless of any appearance of stability or success that may come with it. In the end, it is unstable. On the other hand, the righteous sets his roots deep in the Lord, and they will not be moved.

David says it this way:

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

    for my hope is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be shaken [moved in KJV].

On God rests my salvation and my glory;

    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Psalm 62:5-7 ESV

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

    but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

Proverbs 12:1 ESV

Here’s a take-home test. In some ways it’s a pretty simple test, though it’s the kind we might prefer to be conducted privately. After all, the results could be embarrassing?

QUESTION: Do you love discipline? There are two possible answers: yes or no.

If your answer is yes, you love knowledge. In this context, knowledge means more than knowing a set of facts. It carries the meaning of wisdom. In other words, the wise man loves correction.

If your answer is no, then you are stupid. The King James translates this word as brutish. Both stupid and brutish are colorful ways to say foolish. The juxtaposition of wisdom and folly is a major theme of Proverbs, and here, we see another way of presenting that theme.

So, how did you do on the take-home test?