Our Chief Aim Should Be to Build Others up
June 12, 2019
Commentary
The wicked often seeks to destroy other people with their words (v. 6) while the righteous try to encourage those who have been attacked by gossipers and slanders. In the end, the wicked will be overthrown but the house of the righteous will stand (v. 7) because it is built upon the fear of the Lord. Have you ever heard people who are constantly trying to build themselves up by putting others down? One of our chief aims in life should be build others up and not to put them down.
The world can appreciate spiritual intelligence even though it may refuse or even persecute it but just pretending to have it will bring disgust to all reasonable men (v. 8). It is better to be a nobody and able to hire a servant than it is to boast that you are a somebody and yet be starving (v. 9).
A righteous person is concerned more about pleasing God than himself or his family. A truly righteous person will even treat his animals well. This does not mean however, that every man who treats his animals well is righteous. It is just that the kindest thing a sinner does is really cruel (v.10). Even when a wicked man shows mercy to an enemy there lies behind the act of a haughty feeling of superiority and maybe thoughts of eventually getting even.
Application
We need to think of people we know who has been deeply hurt by words of other people. It would be good for me to discuss with my family how we can possibly encourage them and help them. Perhaps we can set a time to have them over to our house for a meal and share with them blessings and truths the Lord has given us.
Proverbs 12:6– 10 (NET)
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood, but the words of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the righteous household will stand.
8 A person will be praised in accordance with his wisdom, but the one with a bewildered mind will be despised.
9 Better is a person of humble standing who works for himself, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.
10 A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.
Illustration: If I Had Only Changed Myself First
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser and realized the world would not change I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country: but it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years I settled on changing only my family and those closest to me, but alas they would have none of it. Now as I lay on my deathbed and I suddenly realize that if I had only changed myself first, then by example I could perhaps have changed my family, and from their inspiration and encouragement to me I would have been better able to help my country and from there I may even have been able to change the world. (Taken from the tomb of a Bishop in Westminster Abbey 1100 A.D).