His Ambassador Blog

Proverbs is a book known for its applicable wisdom. Written by Solomon, the son of David and the third king of Israel. The Lord told Solomon that He would give him anything that He asked for. Instead of asking for riches, power, or anything of these sorts, Solomon asked for wisdom and the Lord greatly blessed him with such. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs so for the next 31 days of May we’re going to take a look at the wisdom in each one. 

Chapter Twelve: Virtuousity and righteous communication.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.”(v.1, 3)

Discipline is such a difficult skill and quality to master. This is a practice that I am working on in my life currently. It’s not easy and it’s not meant to be. Discipline is for those dedicated to growth, it takes wisdom, patience, endurance, and self-control. I also believe that it is so much easier to maintain a discipline in your life when you consider the ‘why’ behind that disciple. When we are dedicated to living for the Lord our disciplines become godly and are driven by the desire to please the Lord in everything we do. Those who love discipline love knowledge and wisdom as those things help to maintain discipline. Discipline is a product of correction as well. The whole idea is that we are correcting negative behaviors and making them into positive ones. To be disciplined we must be able to take criticism. 

When our lifestyles and actions are rooted in the truth of the gospel we will not be destroyed by anything that stands in our way. We should focus on disciplines that the bible highlights. It’s important to note that the wisdom of the bible applied to life will only ever improve it. Some disciplines found in the bible include studying the word of God, having an active prayer life, taking care of your body as it is a temple for the Lord, creating an environment of hospitality, and working hard in all that you do. 

Those living is righteousness will not be moved, yet those living in wicked paths will not be established. Wickedness breeds uncertainty, righteousness breeds security. If you want to feel safe, comforted, and confident you must find Jesus. 

“A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: But a man of wicked devices will he condemn. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”(v.2, 4)

Favor of the Lord and peace with Him is found in living a holy life, filled with goodness and righteousness. We can do nothing to earn salvation, but the Lord is pleased when we exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit, who is inside us at the moment of salvation. The Lord takes favor in those who seek to live holy lives under Him. A good man will have a relationship with the Father. That relationship will be evident in the fruits of His life. 

A wife known for her relationship with the Lord is one worth having. Solomon is writing to his son and is not exactly speaking to women here. While it is a good reminder for the character that women should have, it is even more of a reminder that a man who has an excellent wife is honored as if he has a crown. Men should be looking for women of the Word, women who love the Lord, and seek to please Him! But what Solomon has been explaining throughout Proverbs is that men must first seek the Lord, be godly and mature, and be worthy of having a woman of valor. 

“The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”(v.5, 7, 12, 15) 

There is an aspect to righteousness that can often get overlooked because it can not be seen, this is our thoughts. Not only should our actions and words reflect the heart we have for the Lord but our thoughts should as well. Our minds are a battleground. The enemy loved to attack your thoughts because your thoughts can quickly become your actions, which become your habits, which become your lifestyle. We must guard our minds against the lies and the plans of the enemy. 

Those living in righteous through their thoughts, actions, words, and beliefs will remain standing. God does not allow the righteous to be removed. Those who are righteous are protected by the most powerful being to exist and that is the Lord our God. Holy living offers security. 

A wise man knows that he doesn’t have all of the answers, that is why he goes to a counsel of other wise believers. It’s okay to ask for help and advice from those around you who possess godly wisdom. Our way or our idea of how something should be done or how it should go may not always be right. Others provide perspectives that we may not have noticed before.