Proverbs 12: 15 Seek Wise Counsel…

This verse is another contrast between those that God sees as being foolish and the ones He sees as being wise.

Proverbs 12: 15 (NKJV)

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Here are the definitions of the main words in these verses: 

the way: the path

fool: One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding; opposite of wise

right: Most favorable, desirable, or convenient

heeds: pays attention to; listens to and considers

counsel: Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person

wise: 1. possessing, showing, or prompted by wisdom or discernment 2. prudent; sensible

Using these definitions, we see that people who are deficient in judgment and understanding choose paths that THEY feel is most favorable or convenient for them. They base their path in life on their feelings instead of sound judgment.

In contrast, the person who shows wisdom or discernment and is sensible, will listen to and pay attention to advice or guidance from a knowledgeable person.

As we saw in the first several chapters of Proverbs, God illustrated that the wisdom that comes from Him and studying His Word is the true wisdom available in this world. Since He created this world, He knows what will help us get through our life in it, in ways where He can lead and bless us.

We must be very careful to base the way we act and the things we do in this life, on what God says and not on what we “feel like doing” from one minute to the next. 

Proverbs 3:1-12 (N I V)

Benefits of Wisdom 

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

4 Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father, the son he delights in.

Proverbs 12: 13 Be Ensnared or Make it Through…

Today’s verse is about the trouble we can get into through the things that we say…

Proverbs 12: 13 (NKJV)

13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

But the righteous will come through trouble. 

First, let's check our definitions...

wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious

ensnared: to trap or gain power over someone by dishonest or underhand means

transgression: 1. A violation of a law, command, or duty 2. The exceeding of due bounds or limits.

lips: Insolent talk; To utter

righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin

through: 1. In one side and out the opposite or another side of 2. At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully

trouble: 1. A state of distress, affliction, difficulty, or need 2. A distressing or difficult circumstance or situation 3. A condition of pain, disease, or malfunction

As we can see, evil, obnoxious people can become trapped by speaking about violating the laws or duties that have been given to them. Morally upright men, on the other hand will make it out of their problems because they will be guided and blessed by God.

Job 15:5 (NKJV) says: Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty, and Jesus said, in Mark 7: 18 (NKJV) “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart…”

The book of James also teaches about our speech…

James 3: 5 – 10 (NKJV)

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

And finally, the Amplified Bible brings us a clear picture of what God would have our speech be: 

Ephesians 4:29-32 (Amplified Bible)

29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).

31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).

32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 12: 12 Wanting and Getting

Proverbs 12: 12 (NKJV)

12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

Here are today’s Definitions of the main words:

wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious

covet: long for, desire, fancy, envy, crave, aspire to, yearn for, thirst for, begrudge, hanker after, lust after, set your heart on, have your eye on, would give your eyeteeth for

catch: 1. To capture or seize, especially after a chase. 2. To take by or as if by trapping or snaring. 3. To take hold of, especially forcibly or suddenly 4. To hold, as by snagging or entangling 5. To deceive

evil: 1. Morally bad or wrong; wicked 2. Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful 3. Characterized by or indicating future misfortune; ominous 4. Bad or blameworthy by report; infamous 5. Characterized by anger or spite; malicious

root: An essential part or element; the basic core

righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin

yields: 1. a. To give forth by or as if by a natural process, especially by cultivation b. To furnish as return for effort or investment; be productive

fruit: Result; outcome (in this usage of the word)

Using these definitions, we see that those that are evil by nature, and in practice, lust after or crave, the things that other morally bad and evil, malicious men have captured, often through trapping or deceiving others. God says, though, that the basic core or spirit of those that are morally upright, will produce or cultivate good results and outcomes. This would come through the natural process of having God furnish the return on the investment put in through living in Godly ways and with God given wisdom.

This is the basic reason that God put in the Ten Commandments, that we shouldn’t covet, for it breeds evil.  If we follow God and HIS ways, we will be blessed.

Proverbs 12: 11 Work and Eat…

This verse is the essence of the story of the grasshopper and the ant. The ant worked HARD all summer while the grasshopper wiled away the hours, playing and having fun, but when the winter came, the ant had plenty of provisions laid up for his family, while the grasshopper died out in the cold.

Proverbs 12: 11 (NKJV)

11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,

But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

tills: To prepare (land) for the raising of crops, as by plowing and harrowing; cultivate

satisfied: Filled with satisfaction; content

bread: 1. a. Food in general, regarded as necessary for sustaining life b. Something that nourishes; sustenance 3. Means of support; livelihood

frivolous: 1. Unworthy of serious attention; trivial 2. Inappropriately silly

frivolity: 1. The quality or condition of being frivolous. 2. A frivolous act or thing.

devoid: Completely lacking; destitute or empty

understanding: 1. Characterized by or having comprehension, good sense, intelligence or discernment. 2. Compassionate; sympathetic

Using the definitions of the main words from today’s verse, we see that the person who works by doing the job that God has given him to bring him his “Daily Bread,” will be sustained and content, while the person who doesn’t pay attention and just goes around being silly instead of working, doesn’t show ANY intelligence or good sense.

I found some of the other translations of this verse to be helpful in understanding it as well:

The New American Standard Bible puts it this way:

11. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

The New International Version says: 11. He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

And last, but not least, “The Message” version says: 11. The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.

Proverbs 12: 10 (NKJV) The Treatment of Your Animals Shows What’s Inside…

Today’s verse talks about the way people treat their animals as being a way to judge their character. I find this interesting because we see more and more animal abuse and neglect as the incidence of other forms of crime, abuse and neglect rise.

Proverbs 12: 10

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal,

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin Upright: Adhering strictly to moral principles

regards: 1. To give heed; pay attention 2. To take into account; consider. 3. Obsolete: To take care of.

       Synonyms: regard, esteem, admiration, respect

These nouns refer to a feeling based on perception of and approval for the worth of a person or thing

mercies: 1. Compassionate treatment 2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving  3. Alleviation of distress; relief 4. humane and kind, sympathetic, or forgiving treatment of or disposition toward others

wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious

cruel: predisposed to inflict violence, pain, or hardship, or to find satisfaction in the suffering of others

By using the definitions of the main words of the Bible Text, we see that people that are morally upright, or adhere strictly to moral principles, will pay attention to the care of their animals. They feel that there is worth in living things, and that they have feelings and need love.

By contrast, those people that are evil by nature and in practice, and that are predisposed to inflict violence, pain, or hardship, or to find satisfaction in the suffering of others, just don’t seem to have the capacity within themselves to give humane and kind, sympathetic or compassionate treatment even to their animals.  Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruits..."

This is SO SAD! I feel that one of the main ways to change people is to change their hearts, and only love, and in particular, the Love of God and His forgiveness in lives, will do that. When we ask Jesus into our lives to wash us from the sins we’ve repented of, and to become the LORD and Savior in our lives, then HE will change us from within, and when He comes again, Romans 8:21-23 tells us:

Romans 8: 21 – 23 (NKJV)

21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Proverbs 12:5 (NKJV) What is inside of you?

In lots of Bible Verses, the idea is put forth that what is IN a man’s heart/soul/inner being is what will drive him throughout his life. It will end up being what others ultimately see him as…

Proverbs 12: 5

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful

Here are the definitions of the main words in today’s verse:

thoughts: 1. the act or process of thinking; meditation, or reflection 2. application of mental attention; consideration 3. purpose or intention

righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin Upright: Adhering strictly to moral principles

right: That which is just, morally good, legal, proper, or fitting.

counsels: 1. A plan of action. 2. Private, guarded thoughts or opinions

wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious

deceitful: 1. Given to cheating or deceiving. 2. Deliberately misleading; deceptive.

Using these definitions, we can see that the people who are moral, or without sin, meditate on, or give their mental attention to the things that are just, morally good and proper, while the private, guarded thoughts and opinions that cause evil men to make their plans will lead them into areas given to cheating or deceiving others. These type of highly offensive, obnoxious men will deliberately mislead others.

As we have seen in our studies before, by accepting Jesus into our hearts and learning to let the Holy Spirit lead us in God’s ways, we can become righteous as HE changes our hearts and renews them. In fact, that is the ONLY way that we CAN become righteous! His Spirit “renews” and "feeds" our hearts and minds as we follow the paths that He leads us on with the light of His Word.

Proverbs 12:3 Do You Want Stability?

Today’s verse speaks of having a stable foundation that can be our strength in times of trouble.

Proverbs 12:3 (NKJV)

3 A man is not established by wickedness,

But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

First, as usual, let’s look at the definitions of our main words:

established: 1. To place or settle in a secure position or condition; install. 2. To make firm or secure.
wickedness: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious
root: An essential part or element; the basic core
righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin Upright: Adhering strictly to moral principles
moved: To dislodge from a fixed point of view

Today’s verse tells us that a person is not made secure, or placed into a secure position by being evil, offensive, or obnoxious, but one who adheres strictly to moral principles in the basic core of their being, can not be dislodged from a foundation of truth. With God’s foundation secure within us, we have all that we need to find peace in our lives.

Proverbs 12: 2 (NKJV) God’s Favor or condemnation?

Today’s verse speaks of obtaining God’s favor or His condemnation. This is OUR choice. We can choose which way we will be… either good, or wicked.

Proverbs 12: 2
2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

Here are the definitions of the main words from this verse:

good: 1. Worthy of respect; honorable. 2. Reliable; sure 3. Valid or true 4. Genuine; real 5. Of moral excellence; upright 6. Benevolent; kind 7. Loyal; staunch 8. Well-behaved; obedient
obtains: To succeed in gaining possession of as the result of planning or endeavor
favor: Friendly or favorable regard; approval or support, Something given as a token of love, affection
wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious
intentions: A course of action that one intends to follow
condemn: 1. To express strong disapproval of 2. To pronounce judgment against; sentence

Using these definitions, we see that a person that lives a lifestyle that is worthy of the respect of others because they are reliable, truthful, upright, kind, loyal, obedient, and real or honest in their dealings is someone that gains the approval or support of a God that loves them.

God loves us anyway, but, as a good parent does with their children, they discipline them if they aren’t living in a good way, so that they will change FOR THEIR OWN GOOD!

Once a person does live in a "good" way, then God is faithful and will help, or bless, them in the things that they do. God also tells us that WE can never be truly "good" enough, by ourselves, to be able to go to heaven because our sin has tainted us, but through repentance of our sins and acceptance of Jesus free gift of life, then God can see us as "good" and will help us to change into that image...


In contrast, those that intend to live in a way that shows they are evil by nature and show this by doing offensive and obnoxious things to others, will find that God will strongly disapprove of them, and will end up, since He is a “Just” God, pronouncing judgment against them. According to His Word, He could, eventually, even have to sentence them to hell.

Psalm 37:20

But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the LORD, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

God does not WANT to have to pronounce this sentence on anyone as we see from the following passages in His word:

Ezekiel 33:11

Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die…

Ezekiel 33:18-20 (NKJV)

18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. 19 But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways.”

As is indicated in today’s verse, God’s favor or His condemnation is MY CHOICE! I need to remember this each day and stay on God's Path to goodness.

Proverbs 11: 31 Reap What You Sow

Proverbs 11: 31 (NKJV)

31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,

How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

recompense: Payment in return for something

ungodly : 1. Not revering God; impious. 2. Sinful; wicked

Today’s verse is the last one in this chapter, and is another way of saying, “You will reap what you sow.” It tells us that those that are morally upright, and without guilt or sin, will receive a “just” payment for the way they have lived. We have seen, in other studies, that living wisely (following God’s Will and ways) bring rewards in our lives here on earth in the blessings that God pours out on us: Peace, Joy, Love, etc.

The second part of this verse says that those that don’t follow God’s way, but choose to live in a sinful and wicked way, will also be “payed back” for the things that they do. We need to remember to build our "house" or life, upon the rock of God and not the sand of Sin.

Proverbs 11: 29 Heir or Servant

Proverbs 11: 29 (NKJV)

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,

And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

heir: 1. A person who inherits or is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another. 2. A person who succeeds or is in line to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office. 3. One who receives or is expected to receive a heritage, as of ideas, from a predecessor.

v. troubles: 1. To agitate; stir up. 2. To afflict with pain or discomfort. 3. To cause emotional strain or anxiety to; worry or distress. 4. To inconvenience; bother

servant: 1. One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another


The first part of today’s verse talks about a person who agitates, or stirs up problems in their own home. This type of person brings worry, distress and emotional strain to all those around them. A person of this type can cause so much trouble that they could be “kicked out” or “disinherited” from the family, thus inheriting nothing but “wind/air” in the long run.

The second part of the verse goes on to say that a person that is foolish like this, will end up serving or owing others who are “wise of heart.” In past verses, we have seen that, in the Bible, God considers a person to be “wise of heart” when they follow His leading and teachings in their lives.

Several of the “Fruits of the Spirit,” which grow in those that DO choose to follow God and become born again so that His Spirit lives within them, are attributes that would be the opposite of “stirring up troubles,” but instead, will bring peace and love into the family.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.