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: 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 12:6 Watch your tongue…

Today's verse contrasts the way that wicked men speak with the life giving way that people who follow God talk, and shows what results from each manner of talking.




Proverbs 12: 6 (NKJV)
6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.



wicked: 1. Evil by nature and in practice 2. Highly offensive; obnoxious
upright: Adhering strictly to moral principles; righteous
deliver: To set free, as from misery, peril, or evil


Those that are offensive, obnoxious, and evil in everything they think or do show the things that are in their hearts by spewing it out in their words. They plan evil and death with their friends.


In contrast, people that stick to high moral principles speak words of comfort, love, care, and peace… things that will help them to be set free from misery, peril or evil when they find themselves in difficult circumstances.

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: 23 The Righteous Desire Good

Proverbs 11: 23 (NKJV)

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,

But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Today’s verse is another contrast between those that are righteous and those that are wicked. It is fairly self-explanatory. Righteous people’s ONLY desire, in everything they do or say, is to bring about good, while the only thing that those that choose to live a wicked life can expect is to find God’s wrath.

Proverbs 11: 21 Punishment & Deliverance

Today’s verse contrasts, from a different angle, the difference between those that are wicked and those that are righteous.

Proverbs 11: 21 (NKJV)
21 Though they join forces,[Literally- hand to hand] the wicked will not go unpunished
But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

Posterity: 1. future generations 2. all of one's descendants


This verse lets us know that, even though wicked men join together to cause problems for others, they will eventually be punished. We know, from so many verses in God’s Word, the Bible, that even if they “SEEM” to prosper here on earth, if they don’t change their ways and repent (turn away from) their evil doing, then they will end up in Hell.

Many people DO NOT want to think about there really being a Hell or place of everlasting fire, but there are so many places in the Bible that they have to ignore to continue “hiding their head in the sand.” (Matt. 5: 22 & 29-30 – Matt. 18:9 -- Luke 16:23 – 2 Peter 2:4 & Rev. 20: 11-15 are just a few ) Many people try to make God into something that He is not, by ignoring the things they DON’T want to hear from His Word, but that will not work for He IS God and He is the same yesterday, today AND tomorrow.

Throughout the whole Bible, we find examples of the countries that were practicing evil things, and worshiping “gods” that they created in their own minds, that ended up being WIPED OUT TOTALLY for doing that. Many of the prophecies for the end times speak of a “great army” coming against God’s people—“they join forces” – but God, Himself, fights for those that are following Him!

THAT brings us to the second half of today’s verse, for its promise is that future generations, or all of a person’s descendants of those that follow Him, WILL be delivered, and that tends to mean that they will eventually end up in Heaven! NOW is the time to chose which side we want to be on!

Proverbs 11: 19 Life or Death…

Today’s verse summarizes and reiterates the theme of this Book of Proverbs and simply restates it.



Proverbs 11: 19 (NKJV)



19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.




We’ve seen that “righteousness” means someone who is living morally, virtuously, and without guilt or sin, and today’s verse says that this type of living leads to life. I believe that, in the context given, this is talking about eternal life.



The second half of the verse shows the negative of the picture given in the first part. IT restates the theme that “pursuing evil” will lead to the pursuer’s eternal death.

Proverbs 11: 18 Deceit vs. Rightousness

Proverbs 11: 18 (NKJV)

18 The wicked man does deceptive work,

But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

As we have seen before, a “wicked” man is characterized by traits such as evilness and maliciousness. They are highly offensive and obnoxious, while a “righteous” man’s traits are morality, being virtuous, and being without guilt, or sinless.

The online dictionary defines “deceptive” as: causing one to believe what is NOT true or, to fail to believe what IS true. To purposely deceive someone.

The definition that is given for the word, “sow” is: 1. To scatter over the ground for growing. 2. To spread with seed. 3. To strew something around or over an area 4. To propagate or disseminate (as information)

The word “sure” is defined as: 1. Impossible to doubt or dispute; certain. 2. Confident, as of something awaited or expected 3. Bound to come about or happen; inevitable

Putting these definitions together lets us understand that today’s verse means that malicious, obnoxious people go around purposely deceiving others. We have seen, in past verses, what happens to “wicked” men like this, while people who spread, or disseminate, information that leads to morality, virtue, and a way to be saved from sin can be certain that they WILL receive a reward.

Proverbs 11: 10 & 11 People Reflect on Their Municipalities

The type of people in a town, city or even a country, will give that “municipality” a specific reputation. Today’s verses touch on this topic.

Proverbs 11: 10 & 11 (NKJV)

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

First, let’s look at the definitions of the main words, that we haven’t studied before, in these verses:
1. city: A center of population, commerce, and culture
2. perish: To die or be destroyed, especially in a violent or untimely manner
3. jubilation: a feeling of great joy and celebration

4. exalted : Elevated in rank, character, or status.
5. overthrown : To bring about the downfall or destruction of…

Both of our verses today start with the effects that people that are righteous and upright, have on helping a city to prosper. These people follow God and/or His wise ways and their lives will be blessed because of it. When the righteous are blessed (“when it goes well with…” AND when they are receiving “blessings”) then the city or area that they live in will also be blessed because they will have more to spend, and more ways to help their neighbors. We have seen examples of this principle before in our United States history, when our country was blessed because we had a morally based society… one that was basically based on a Judeo-Christian heritage. We became one of the strongest, most blessed, AND most giving countries in the world.

Over the past 50 or so years, we have seen things turn around and start to go downhill. As the ratio of those that follow righteous, moral lives compared to those that are following wicked ways, tip the other way, our cities, towns and society in general are having more and more problems.

Verse 10 tells us that when the “wicked perish,” there is “jubilation.” Think about the celebrations that occurred when Saddam Hussein’s reign was overthrown to get a good picture of the truth of this verse.

The last part of verse 11 says that cities are “overthrown” by the mouth (or words) of the wicked. We have seen this on a small scale with the gangs pushing each other to do things that continually grow worse, and we have seen it on a large scale through the words of Adolf Hitler that ended in a World War.

We have even seen examples in the past year or so of whole cities and towns that are perishing and being foreclosed on because of the lies of wicked, greedy men that gave loans to so many when they really couldn’t afford it.

Our lives DO make a difference to those who live round us, and we need to be sure that they see the effects of God’s love and work in our lives, for that may be the only way they will ever think about learning about God.