Chapter 12
After my salvation experience, I started out very gung-ho for God. My heart felt free, my eyes were opened to all the darkness that had once ruled my life — and I wanted everyone to know. I told anyone who would listen… and even those who wouldn’t.
One day, a dear friend pulled me aside and said, “Tim, you have a real fire in your heart for God. I can see you’re on fire!”
I smiled, soaking in the compliment. Then he added, “You’re like a flamethrower for God.” Still smiling, I thought, Wow, that sounds intense… but kind of awesome.
Then he finished: “…but a flamethrower ignites and burns up everything around it. I think God would rather you be a laser beam.” That’s when the smile faded.
He went on, “Tim, your love for God is real, but in your passion, you’re burning people with condemnation. You’re blasting them with truth instead of letting God gently pierce their hearts like a laser; to convict them, not scorch them.”
Ouch. That stung. But I got the message. And honestly, it changed me from that day on.
Ever had a friend tell you the truth you didn’t want to hear? It stings. You might even want to argue, deny it, or ghost them for a week. But deep down, you know they’re right and you’re better for it.
That kind of honesty? It’s rare. But it’s also one of the greatest gifts someone can give you — truth that’s loving, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Proverbs 12 is full of this kind of wisdom. It talks about the value of speaking truth, working hard, loving correction (even if we’d rather get a compliment), and watching what comes out of our mouths. It’s a chapter that says, “Look, if you want a life that lasts, learn to take truth seriously… even when it messes with your ego.”
The world today loves praise and avoids correction like it’s a food allergy. We’re quick to affirm, slow to challenge. But Proverbs reminds us: growth doesn’t come from flattery. Growth comes from truth, discipline, and the humility to listen.
And no one did this better than Jesus. He spoke hard truths; not to shame people, but to heal them. He called out sin; not to condemn, but to set people free. His words were sometimes uncomfortable, but always aimed at life.
So the real question Proverbs 12 asks is: Do you want to feel good in the moment, or be wise for a lifetime?
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
2 Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.
3 No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
