Proverbs 12 the Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom

Proverbs is such a spectacular collection of wise pithy saying to help each of us obtain a spiritually enriched lifestyle! The Proverbs are here to enlighten us all! Solomon generously passes his knowledge on to us, under the loving inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He shares his godly wisdom via the Proverbs! They portray moral truth and a vast range of important imperative subjects. This is a continuing series of the thirty one Proverbs! I suggest for further in depth study that you begin reading at least one Proverb each day; in them you will discover a "Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom."

Some of the Proverbs are crystal clear. There are some one must meditate on longer. After faithfully reading them over and over you will discover the Holy Spirit will illuminate your understanding each time. The common characteristic of these brilliant Proverbs is the use of parallelism; meaning placing truths side by side so the second statement completes, defines and emphasizes the first. Sometimes a logical conclusion is reached some time a logical contrast. There are many wisdom benefits in the Proverbs!

Solomon speaks to us like a wise father who is lovingly speaking to his children and does not want them to experience some of the things that happened to him! His deep spiritual insight comes from the multitude of his experiences! He does not argue about moral standards because he assumes we should already know them? These proverbial couplets compare, contrast and complement!

Wisdom is a gift from God. When you love and respect the Lord you fear Him! "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1. King David Solomon's father stressed that it was important that he make God's laws the center of his life. If Solomon took heed and respected God's principles his descendants would remain in office. We learned earlier in this series that Solomon prayed and asked the Lord for a "discerning heart" in order to lead the people and make the right decisions. Since Solomon asked for wisdom the Lord gave him not only wisdom but riches and long life. Solomon is known for being a man after God's own heart."

Solomon ruled his people well, but he became quite foolish in running his very own household. Solomon had eleven (11) chief officials, twelve (12) district governors, and a manager in charge of his district offices. He was quite organized! For most of his reign he used good judgment and sought the Lord. Although he was wise he did not always respond wisely... Here we can learn from many of the mistakes that he made. There are over three thousand (3,000) wise Proverbs.

PROVERBS 12

PROVERBIAL LESSON HIGHLIGHTS!

Benefits of Loving Wisdom

As long as we are here on earth we are here to learn. As believers we must learn to trust God! We must learn to live by Faith and not by sight! There are times we all stand to be corrected! "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But he who hates correction is stupid." Constructive criticism can helpful.

Contrast Righteous and Wicked

"The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful." The Lord is aware of our motives and intentions. There is much spiritual warfare to undermine the benefits of living for the Lord. True success is only obtained by God's standards. If you ignore your responsibilities and commitments towards your family in order to get ahead you need to really consider to reprioritize. Many receive ungodly counsel. Wordly concepts often compromise the WAY of the Lord! "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners..." Psalms 1.

"Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm." We are living in a time when "Good is called evil and evil is called good." It is important to know the Lord's Word! Knowing the Lord does not always protect us from trouble. But it does reassure us that or true "security and significance is in Him." It is important to be rooted and grounded in the Word of God. This is how you build your house on The Solid "Rock!" That "Rock is Jesus Christ!" Persecution comes along with being a Christian. Jesus prepared His disciples to be prepared to be rejected. The house of the righteous will stand!

When You Are Insulted

It is a natural response to react when someone insults you. It is important to learn to respond in a way that pleases the Lord rather than to react. A disciple is a learner. Patience is a Fruit of the Spirit. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. A truthful witness gives honest testimony but a false witness tells lies." The Truth can stand on its own. It is so now and in the future! "God is a Spirit of Truth." Just think how many years and centuries has gone by since these Proverbs were written. They are still true! "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you for because of me, Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..." Matthew 5

Truth and Lies!

The father of lies is satan, he has lied from the very beginning. he is a fallen angel that perverts the truth, he has sown tares in God's Church, he is a worthless slanderer, he undermines our good intentions and seeks to solicit others to sin. There are those who prefer to believe a lie, not realizing by accepting a lie that they are being deceived. "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful. "

We can learn so much from these Proverbs! Solomon shares the importance of being truthful. "Confrontation is Conversation in search of the TRUTH." "These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the TRUTH." I Timothy 3. God already knows the truth! Each time we elect to handle situations God's Way we grow spiritually. God is aware of all we say and do. He is everywhere we go! We must learn to live before "An audience of one!"

Becoming Prudent

As one learns to become prudent there is a certain confidence one can attain. This confidence is not in self, but it is in the Lord! Nor is it prideful. There is an inner knowing when you are walking with the Lord! To be prudent means you have good sense to handle practical matters. You handle them wisely. You do not have the need to always prove what you know. God already knows. He knows what you have done or have not done. He knows why you do or do not do. He knows exactly where you are ... You do not have to show off. You are capable. You instead elect to walk in meekness. Of course this might mean that you will be often misunderstood. "A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly."

Proverbs 12 concludes by telling us: "In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.