Proverbs 12:26-28

Prov 12:26 (KJB)

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

 

Is Excellent - To explore or investigate

Seduceth - Leads them astray

 

The righteous are not satisfied to be stagnant in their walk so what they do is to explore or investigate new and different ways to be able to live as a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. They also seek to live a life which is pleasing to those around them which gives them a good testimony and the neighbors are comfortable with them. The righteous may investigate to find out who has needs and then attempt to meet those needs thus opening a door for the presentation of the Gospel. On the other hand, the way of the wicked is just that, wicked. They do not seek ways to improve their life, instead they just continue in their wicked ways and if the righteous are not careful, or if they strike some kind of accord with them, they could be seduced by those evil ways. The saved must be careful because even though we are saved, we still have bodies of flesh which have not been redeemed and could cause us to fall. Spending time with unbelievers can be dangerous territory for a believer unless we are there for the purpose of bringing the Gospel. (1 Cor 15:33 KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

 

Prov 12:27 (KJB)

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

 

Slothful - Lazy

Substance - Wealth

 

One of the tenets of a truly lazy person is that they can begin a task but they never seem to complete it. Here we have a person who went hunting and actually caught some prey, however, when he got it home, he was so lazy that he did not prepare and roast the meat to eat it. So here the lazy man expects to be waited on. Have you ever heard a lazy person state that they have done their part? The problem is their part is probably small and they never want to go beyond the boundary of that chore. It is like the lazy man who goes shopping and brings home the groceries and leaves them on the counter and heads for the easy chair. The essence of the diligent man is that they begin a project and will see it through to completion. In fact, the verse refers to the essence of the diligent man as being his wealth. It does not mean he is rich in material goods but it means that he is rich in diligence and that is a great quality to have. (Mat 20:27 KJV) And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Jesus even said that those who are diligent in service are the real chiefs and not those who hold titles and give orders. Wouldn’t you rather have on your team of workers a man with a diligent spirit? I know I would.

 

Prov 12:28 (KJB)

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

 

Here is a great summation of the saved life. Righteousness is the true way of life. Righteousness is not a way to the life but the verse states that it is life. Those who live their lives in sin and evil can only expect death and damnation as the rewards of their way of life. Those who attend to the teachings based in the wisdom of God’s word will find that they are living the life that God had intended for humanity before the fall. The great promise of living the redeemed life is the fact that there will be no death. The death in view is not physical death because believers die everyday, but it is the spiritual death which the unbeliever dies in the lake of fire. (John 11:26 KJV) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Jesus promised His children that those who believe and live in Him, shall never die. They will change residences in the twinkling of an eye. In fact, it will be so fast that the believer will not know one moment of darkness before they are ushered into the presence of the Lord.

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