Proverbs

Proverbs 12: The LORD delights in truth

Begin in prayer

Before we bring our words, work and treatment of others before God, let us ask for honest hearts. Pray that His truth will take root in our lives.

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.

Leviticus 19:15

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to receive correction and speak words that heal. Show us Jesus, who is righteous and true, and give us faith in Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Those who love knowledge receive correction, while wicked schemes cannot establish a life. A worthy wife honors her husband, while a disgraceful wife is like rottenness in his bones. The righteous care even for their animals. Honest work supplies food, while chasing fantasies and plunder leads away from wisdom. The diligent rise to rule, while laziness ends in slave labor. Words can pierce like a sword or bring healing, and a kind word lifts an anxious heart. The LORD hates lying lips and delights in those who do the truth.

As you read Proverbs 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD establishes the righteous and delights in those who do the truth.

The root of a tree explains the security of the righteous. Wickedness may rise above the ground for a time, yet it cannot supply a lasting foundation. That inward difference appears in a wife’s faithfulness, an owner’s treatment of animals and a worker’s care for the land. The mouth also bears fruit from the heart. Rash speech wounds like a sword, while truthful counsel can restore someone injured by lies. God delights in truth practiced in a whole life, so clever speech cannot cover cruelty or deceit. Receiving correction is part of learning that truthful way.

How does Proverbs 12 show us that the LORD establishes the righteous and delights in those who do the truth?

The LORD keeps the root of the righteous.

A worthy wife is a crown to her husband. The righteous person also respects an animal’s life and works the land with diligence. Godly character becomes visible in responsibilities that pride might overlook.

Truthful and kind words help others.

A rash speaker wounds like the piercing of a sword. The wise tongue heals, and a kind word lifts the weight of anxiety. The LORD delights in people who practice truth instead of using words to deceive.

Memorise

Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.

Proverbs 12:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do my words show about my need for the mercy of Jesus?

“Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh.” Lies can make a person seem safe while leaving the guilt untouched. God sees the truth beneath every carefully chosen word.

Jesus spoke truth and lived without deceit. He accepted the punishment for His people’s lies and every other sin at the cross. God raised Him from the dead. His saving work is complete, and nothing needs to be added to the righteousness He gives.

Come to Him with your deceit exposed. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. He grants forgiveness to those who believe and teaches them to speak truth. The Savior’s words give the healing that dishonest lips cannot offer.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God cares about truthful words and the kindness behind them. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for delighting in truth and giving words that heal. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:25

Lord of truth, thank You for words that heal and instruction that makes us wise. Please uncover the lies we use to protect ourselves. Lead us to repent and trust Jesus for forgiveness. Help us answer with honesty and kindness when someone needs our care. Amen.