Proverbs 12:4-8 — Oh… That’s Nasty

READ THIS: Proverbs 12:4-8

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.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Have you ever seen some food that has definitely gone bad? It can be nasty. Ever smelled it? Even worse. And I really hope none of you have ever had the misfortune of eating rotten food… please tell me you haven’t… Once again, these proverbs speak directly into the comparison between the righteous and the wicked, but this time, Solomon uses a very specific word to describe the behavior and character of a wicked person: “decay.” When something decays, it begins to grow rotten, often to the point where it decomposes into nothing. When something decays, it slowly but surely dies, and wickedness isn’t very different. 

In James 1:14-15, he writes that sin or wickedness is the result of selfishness that comes directly from our own desires. He says, “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Wicked desires rot into sin, and sin rots into death, and we see it in these verses from Proverbs. The wicked choose to be disgraceful, dishonest, and disloyal, and it ultimately leads to their demise. Luckily for us, we are loved by a God who gives us grace and countless chances to live differently. Through His grace found in Jesus, we can leave wickedness behind and seek nobility, righteousness, and Him!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. When you think of the words “rotten” and “decay,” what do you think of?

2. Can you think of a time where sin continued to grow in your life? How did you let it go?

 

TRY THIS:

Is there something sinful that you’ve done that you’re still holding onto? Don’t let it rot inside you any longer! Take some time to ask Jesus for forgiveness, take some time to forgive yourself or whoever you are frustrated with, and move forward!