Proverbs 12:1-5
 
Prov 12:1 (KJB)
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
 
Instruction - Discipline or warning
Reproof - Correction
Brutish - Stupid, showing little intelligence
 
One who loves instruction proves they love knowledge. What is in view here is the person who has a teachable spirit and that teachable spirit opens the door for increased instruction, making that person a much wiser person. This knowledge, coming from instruction, which is based in the fear of God, will help keep a person from becoming entangled in the sinful ways of the world. The second half of this verse is extremely straightforward. Those who hate correction are just stupid, not ignorant but stupid. The difference is that ignorance means that a person does not know owing to the lack of instruction or information but stupid means a person has the instruction or information but intentionally rejects it. If a person refuses to be corrected, they will continue to slide down a path of sin until they finally get into a position which cannot be reversed. This can happen on earth or it can be the final situation they face which is Judgment Day. We must never reject proper correction because it is for our benefit.
 
Prov 12:2 (KJB)
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
 
Good - Useful, proper, or pleasant
Wicked devices - Evil schemes
Condemn - To be guilty
 
Now we must define a good man according to the Scriptures simply because the world has its own definition of good. First of all, the Bible tells us that there are none that doeth good. (Rom 3:12 KJV) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. This person is one who is unsaved because everything they do is in opposition to God. (Luke 23:50 KJV) And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: Joseph of Arimathaea was a believer and therefore God speaks of him as being good and just. For one to be good in God’s sight, they must be born again by the Lord Jesus Christ. So the good man in view in Proverbs 12:2 is one who is saved. This man being in Christ will obtain favor from the Lord and we read that the greatest favor is that we will be taken to Heaven where we will live with the Lord Jesus Christ for eternity. On the other hand, the wicked man, who is unsaved, will be condemned to eternal hell because he will be found guilty at the Great White Throne Judgment and the only punishment will be eternity in hell. The person who hatches wicked schemes may even face consequences for their actions here on earth before Judgment Day.
 
Prov 12:3 (KJB)
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
 
Established - To bring something into order with an expectation of permanency and certainty
Moved - Totter or Falter
 
There are many in this world who have taken up the method of making a living by means of criminal activity. They believe that if they have reached the pinnacle of their evil profession that they will have a permanent position and be established. God states that those who attempt to establish themselves by a sinful method will never be established and will eventually be removed from their position by another who will try to take it. The kingdom of Satan is not permanent as it will be destroyed on the last day in hell and those who thought they were established will find out that they never were and that they were deceived.
 
On the other hand the root of the righteous will never be moved. We see the same word used in Proverbs 10:30. This verse reminds me of Psalm 92:12 where it speaks of the believer like a palm tree. (Psa 92:12 KJV) The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. The palm trees roots go down and can spread out over 100 feet, and further, in all directions. That is why we see pictures of palm trees almost horizontal in hurricanes but not broken. The root of the Christian is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and He will never be removed or moved. (Rev 22:16 KJV) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. As long as the Christian is rooted in Christ, they shall never be moved. This is why Heaven is guaranteed to the believer because from the time that they are saved to the time of their home going, they can never be moved.
 
Prov 12:4 (KJB)
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
 
Virtuous woman - Wife of valor or strength
Crown - Represents honor and dignity
 
A wife of strength complements her husband and does not bring any shame to him. She is like the crown in his marriage bringing in honor and dignity to both of them. On the other hand, the foolish woman brings shame to the husband and to their marriage. It makes him feel like a disease is rotting his bones. The bones are needed in the body to allow a person to stand erect. If the bones are rotted, then they become weak and unable to support the body. If the wife is foolish, she no longer supports her husband and the marriage grows weak. There is also a spiritual meaning to this verse. The body of Christ is a great crown to her husband the Lord Jesus Christ because He has endued it with great power through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It will remain strong as long as there is no compromise with the world or worldly religions which is something that can cause weakness to the church. If a body of believers choose to hold hands with an unbelieving group over an issue, they weaken themselves simply because they have relinquished the power of God in lieu of a social standing.
 
Prov 12:5 (KJB)
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
 
Thoughts - Plan or purpose
Counsels - Steering or Guidance
 
The plans which the righteous conceive will be in accord with the wisdom of God and the Scriptures. This is because they have been regenerated and indwelled with the Holy Spirit. The saved always want to do what is right in the purposes of God which stands and will stand for eternity. Whenever someone approaches an unsaved person for counsel, they must remember they are being guided by someone with a darkened heart. The wicked man lives in a constant state of deception thinking that their wisdom and counsel will stand. The problem is that their counsel stands in opposition to the word of God and will never be useful to the believer. The unbeliever finds solace in things like psychology, sociology, or even New Age and these things stand in opposition to the right teachings of Scripture.

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