Sermon on 6 February 2022 by Sis Hui Ling
Introduction
The bible tells us what is good for us and what is not. Proverbs teaches us wisdom and discipline, to help us understand the insights of the wise (Proverbs 1:2). It teaches us to live disciplined and successful lives, to help us do what is right, just, and fair (Proverbs 1:3). It gives insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young (Proverbs 1:4).
Message
1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
2 The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.
4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
7 The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.
8 A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
10 The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17 An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.
18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21 No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24 Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26 The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.
27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28 The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.
We have the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us day by day, moment by moment. To learn from Proverbs 12, we can take one verse and apply it to our life. Each verse tells us what is being ‘godly’ and what is ‘otherwise’ (ungodly). Many of the messages are inter-linked. For example, verse 3 tells us the godly has deep roots, but the ungodly are unstable. Later on, verse 12 expands upon this message of ‘roots’. Verse 12 tells us that the godly bear their own fruit, while the ungodly are jealous of each other’s loot. As we continue to learn from each verse, we can develop a mindmap. Another example is a hard worker having plenty of food (verse 11), and the diligent making use of everything they find (verse 27). We learn from this that we should make good use of the resources that we are given. Also on the message of hard work, verse 24 tells us to work hard and become a leader. You can draw out your own mindmap. God speaks to us differently. You can draw out your own insights from these verses. What is God’s message to you?
Closing
For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. – James 1:23-25
May Proverbs 12 be a mirror to all of us. Take the step of faith and draw your own mindmap. Let it be your mirror, your own face. May we also live disciplined and successful lives, to do what is right, just, and fair!
Comments