Proverbs – Day 12
Scripture: Proverbs 12
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Good people obtain favor from the Lord,
but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous stands firm.
A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped mind is despised.
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.
From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,
and the work of their hands brings them reward.
The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.
Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.
An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.
The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.
No harm overtakes the righteous,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.
Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
The lazy do not roast any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.
Devotional:
It’s funny when I see a beat up old car rolling down the road fully tricked out with flashy rims, window tint, and other glitz, yet it sounds like it’s about to break down and it’s running on fumes. Going deep into debt to purchase a new wardrobe and luxury car, then have no money for the basics is not a wise decision. Solomon must have been thinking of people like this when he wrote, “Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food” (v 9) and “One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth” (Prov 13:7). In other words, stop trying to pretend to be someone you’re not.
While most don’t try to impress others with a show of (fake) wealth, we might pretend to look good on the outside while the pockets are empty. I have pretended to be smarter, wiser, and more spiritual when I clearly wasn’t. If you have done the same, we’re not alone!
There’s an idea in psychology that each of us has three selves: an Ideal Self, a Real Self, and a Public Self. The Ideal Self is who we wish we were, who we’re trying to become. The Real Self is who we actually are, today. The Public Self is the person we want others to think we are. Naturally, stress arises from trying to reconcile the differences between these selves.
When we try to maintain a Public Self, we’re essentially lying – to others and to ourselves – about who we are. “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful” (v 22). Being honest about who you are is part of being truthful. Be genuine about your fears, doubts, and confusion. True friends won’t hold these things against you, but will walk with you as you grow.
If you’ve been hiding behind masks, put aside your pride and stop pretending to be someone you’re not. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (Rom 12:3) because “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18) and “Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor” (Prov 18:12). Embrace who you are, shortcomings and all, and you’ll take one more step toward living a life of wisdom.
Key Verses:
“Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” ~ Proverbs 12:9,22
Questions:
- In what way are you pretending to be someone you’re not?
- What can you do today to show others more of your “real self”?
