When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

    but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 ESV

This verse contrasts pride and humility. The result of pride is disgrace. Be careful not to dismiss this statement too quickly just because you know a proud person who has never been disgraced. Don’t forget that Proverbs has two realities in mind, the temporal and the eternal or the physical and the spiritual. Also, don’t forget that because no one seems to recognize folly, doesn’t mean it isn’t folly. For example, when a group of fools are hanging out, doing whatever it is fools do together, it is unlikely any of them will recognize the folly that is present among them. Thus, it is possible to disgrace yourself even when neither you nor those around you recognize the disgrace. Perhaps more importantly, pride disgraces us before a holy God.

The second portion reminds us of the connection between humility and wisdom. Wisdom produces humility. The implication is that those who are humble, those who gain wisdom, will not be disgraced.

Which do you prefer?

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 10:2 ESV

This verse goes against much of our culture. When treasure is the goal, the means is often disregarded. Here, though, the writer is focused on the heart. Thus he can say, “succeeding in the wrong way is not succeeding.” Those who gain by wickedness kill their souls. Alternatively, those who are righteous find life. Because life is the goal, success is redefined in this verse.

How do you define success? What are you striving for today?

Hear, for I will speak noble things,

    and from my lips will come what is right,

for my mouth will utter truth;

    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Proverbs 8:6-7 ESV

Notice the things that wisdom speaks: 1) Noble things, 2) what is right, and 3) truth. Here, the author uses three synonyms to convey the idea that wisdom speaks truth. Want to know the truth? Find wisdom. Notice also what is not coming from wisdom’s lips: “wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”

We might summarize these verses as “Guard your mouth; be careful what you say (or don’t say).” While it is important to do that, we must remember that what comes out of our mouths (or doesn’t come out) is a reflection of our hearts. If I have trouble with my mouth, the problem is not with my mouth. It is my heart. The same is true for you.

Lord, please help the words of my mouth reflect the work that you are doing in my heart.

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

    and to insight, “You are my relative.”

Proverbs 7:4 ESV

Have you ever thought of wisdom as a family member? A sibling? Here, the author uses this word picture to draw our attention to how closely related we should be with wisdom. Rather than think of wisdom as something out there, we should think of wisdom as a blood relative, someone with whom we have an essential (DNA) relationship. We are connected. Or, should be.

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16-17 ESV

The writer uses a Hebrew construction, a numeral plus one, to indicate the Lord’s ultimate displeasure with the items in the list.

Note the connection between the heart and the thoughts. This is the person who sits around plotting wicked actions. He may not carry them out, but he crafts detailed plans of how to steal something, or embarrass that person, or how to wreck that company or, or, or. These thoughts – even without the actions necessary to fulfill them – reflect the heart. Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:21-23).

Don’t be fooled into thinking, “It’s okay to devise such plans as long as I don’t do them.” This type of thinking not only reflects an ungodly heart, it also defiles the person. Paul offers some helpful words in this regard,

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8 ESV