Proverbs 12:13 ESV An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A13&version=ESV] This verse continues the themes of the previous verse and of much of Proverbs: the self-destructive nature of evil and the fundamental consonance of righteousness with God’s world. These two tendencies are far…
Proverbs 12:12 ESV Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A12&version=ESV] The wicked man does not produce; he steals. His love is the spoil, and spoil cannot be made, only stolen. Wickedness is, after all, antithetical to God, and therefore antithetical to the Dominion Mandate…
Proverbs 12:11 ESV Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A11&version=ESV] Mankind loves to be the center of attention, and mankind hates to work. These two truths come together to make ‘worthless pursuits’- carnal, empty entertainment, flashy stunts, get-rich-quick schemes, and more- to make…
Proverbs 12:10 ESV Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A10&version=ESV] To have mercy for the weak is not natural. Mankind may feel pity, it is true, and kindness is hardly unknown to him, but these are mere impulses, washed away with…
Proverbs 12:9 ESV Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A9&version=ESV] The famous words of Milton’s Satan encapsulate the common sentiment of man’s pride: “Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven” (Paradise Lost Book 1, Line 263). Fallen man loves to lord himself…
Proverbs 12:8 ESV A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A8&version=ESV] Men of twisted minds seem to be the most successful sort. After all, who walks the halls of power? Who squabbles over the ‘Top Ten Wealthiest ____ in the World’ spots? Who do all…
Proverbs 12:7 ESV The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A7&version=ESV] The house of the righteous is a remarkably resilient institution when considered under the lens of world history and a remarkably fragile one when considered under the lens of most men’s lifetimes. After all,…
Proverbs 12:6 ESV The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A6&version=ESV] Why do we worry about people’s character when we’re listening to them? You’re probably giving me a funny look right about now, I know, but we need to be able to answer…
Proverbs 12:5 ESV The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A5&version=ESV] How much does somebody’s character matter when you’re considering their advice? Intelligence and knowledge don’t correlate well with moral character (though wisdom does), but the idea that since somebody is smart, he must be worth listening…
Even prior to the stress of 2020 and 2021’s new normal, we have seen a growing number of suicides. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/) the rate per 100,000 individuals has risen from about 12 in 2010 to 14 in 2018 with a slight dip in 2019 and 2020. So many…