Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 12:20-22

Proverbs 12:20

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy. 

Sin always comes all wrapped up in a colorful wrapping, with a nice little bow on top. Sin and deceit always come together as a package deal. Wherever there is sinful activity taking place in civil government, in churches, or in families, this will be covered by layers of deceitful packaging. What used to be rejected as perversion is embraced as “diversity,” and “inclusiveness.” For the nice Marxists, the forced redistribution of the wealth is the new kindness. Killing is
defined as choice. Stealing cookies from the cookie jar is explained as “borrowing.” Checking out forbidden web sites is research. “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil.” Ultimately, every one of our thoughts and actions must be subjected to the penetrating light of the Word of God if they will be interpreted rightly and truly.

To the counselors of peace is joy. Of all the joyful things a man will ever witness, almost nothing compares with the joy proceeding from restored relationships. Those pastors, elders, and counselors functioning as peacemakers between offended brothers are often blessed to witness tearful confessions, crumbling walls of separation, and wonderful reconciliation. Peace comes with reconciliation, followed by great joy!

Yet, the greatest disruption of peace has resulted from an interruption of our relationship with God. There can be no greater joy than to see this relationship resorted through the ultimate Peacemaker, who is the very Son of God – the only Mediator between God and man.

Proverbs 12:21

There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 

The worst thing that will ever happen to the righteous is physical death; followed by a resurrection. Now we have to ask ourselves, “Is this really all that bad?” God delivers His saints out of every predicament, and our little troubles in life are only little deaths followed by little resurrections. The Bible does not separate certain individual events from the larger story of our lives. We may look at a six month period of our life as “evil and troublesome” when taken in isolation from the years surrounding that time period. But if we were to consider it in the full scheme of things, we would discover those evil
days really did “work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). Even our final death, horrible though it might appear from this side, should never be considered apart from the resurrection that follows.

Certainly, we know trials are for our good, because God is always good and He is always good to us (Heb. 12:10). They are meant to yield “the peaceable fruits of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). Indeed, there is much sanctification work to be done, much flesh to be mortified in all of us, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

This promise does not apply to the wicked, however. While the righteous man finds a way out of each evil circumstance in life, the wicked man wallows in it and eventually, he will be consumed in it.

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight. 

God’s law provides God’s perspective towards what goes on in the world. How does He feel about this or that? As we love God, we will come to love the things He loves, and hate the things He hates—such as lying lips. What is described here is the person who is so accustomed to lying, he is characterized by it. He cannot be trusted, and he is self-deceived about his own deceptions. In fact, he has made himself so unaware of his lying, so he would never repent of it.

But God delights in those who walk in the light and deal in the truth. They confess their sins. They speak the truth, even when it hurts. Also, they can usually discern when somebody is pulling the wool over their eyes, and they will insist on the truth. The church of Jesus Christ is very simply described in 1 John 1:7-9 as those who walk in the light as He is in the light. They confess their sins openly, and they receive God’s forgiveness.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways do we rationalize our sin? How do we wrap our sin in beautiful packaging with a pretty bow on top?

2. Can you think of any examples of difficult trials in your life that turned out well in the end? How does God work things for good in your life?

3. Are we plainspoken and straightforward in our speech? Do we speak the truth even when it hurts? What is it that prevents us from telling the truth?