Proverbs 12:20-28--The Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 12:20-28
English Standard Version
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
21 No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

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The hearts of evil people also have all kinds of lies inside of them that they tell themselves and tell others.  Remember that Satan is the father of all lies and a liar from the beginning.  Lying is his native tongue according to Jesus, so those that are wicked will speak the language of their tribe and will be fluent in lying.  Telling so many lies is wearisome (it's so much easier to just tell the truth to people, and then you don't have to worry about who you told what lie to).  This is one of the reasons that Solomon says that the heart of the honest and truthful person is full of joy, but the source of our joy is the LORD who is the Truth.

Solomon finds a general principle that the righteous are blessed and the wicked are cursed, therefore "No ill befalls the righteous."  We know that's Solomon speaking in generalities though, because Jesus promised His disciples, "In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world."  Ultimately there will be no condemnation for the righteous when we stand in judgment, but the day of judgement should scare the wicked person because the LORD will be prosecutor and judge, and there will be no one there acting as their defense attorney.  They know they are in trouble, and there is no real rest or peace for them.  I think that's what Solomon is getting at.  The righteous man can lay his head down at night and be at peace and rest, but the wicked man lives in fear of dying and facing the judgment of God.

The LORD hates lying lips and tongues.  They make the list of things He calls abominations.  In fact, several of the items on that list have to do with dishonesty in one way or another.  The LORD delights in those who act faithfully--they hear His word, take it to heart, apply it to themselves, and are obedient to His commands.

A wise man knows when to silent and when to speak.  Just because he knows something doesn't mean that he must speak it if it is going to damage or injure someone else.  However, the fool can't help but spread gossip and spread slander.  They also speak folly because that is all they know.

The wise and righteous man will be put in charge of many things because his wisdom and character will be known by all, but the slothful man will be a slave to the ones that he borrows from.  He will be the slave of many masters.  So it is with anyone who refuses to work for a living and instead tries to live off of other people's wealth and who sees loan disbursements as income.

Those who try to be in control of everything because they refuse to let God be in control of their hearts and lives find themselves full of anxiety.  Their heart is weighed down with a heavy burden that they were never meant to carry. 

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7).  

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Solomon says a good word (a word of encouragement) makes the anxious heart glad.  We should seek to speak the truth in love to those who are broken, hurting, and anxious.  We should want to tell them about the One who bears all their griefs, burdens, and sorrows for them.

The righteous person is an example for others around him, but then so too is the wicked person.  Do you want to be the person who leads your neighbors (especially the children in your neighborhood) in paths of righteousness or do you want to lead them on the way that leads them to hell?  There are only two choices in how to live.  We can show them what it looks like to live a life fully surrendered to the LORD, or we can live lives for ourselves--the end of the first path is eternal life and blessing, the end of the second path is eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire.  Choose carefully who you follow after and choose as your guides and examples.

The slothful man doesn't even plan far enough ahead to cook his diner before he gets hungry and is willing to eat uncooked meat (this is dangerous, don't do it).  This is contrasted with a wise and prudent man who thinks so far ahead that he can invest and make a profit off of his investments.  God wants us to be people who plan for the future and the kind of people that leave an inheritance for our children (not necessarily money, but definitely a spiritual legacy where the family knows of the faith of their parents and grandparents and the wisdom and blessings that come from that person relationship with Jesus and the forgiveness that comes from Him is normalized).

We wrap us this chapter with something we've already made note of.  The righteous man has no fear of death in this life (for it is not truly death for him, but he closes his eyes like he is sleeping and wakes up to be with the LORD).  Eternal life is the reward and inheritance of the righteous.  No one can take it away from you once it is given to you.  It is your choice which path you take--the one that leads to death and destruction (the broad road of the wicked) or the one that leads to eternal life (the narrow road of the righteous).  Choose the right path today and stay on it, because you are not guaranteed even your next breath, let another tomorrow or however many years you may imagine you are going to live