Proverbs 12

READ CHAPTER 12 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,

OR FOLLOW THE LINK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE!

 

 

VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

PROVERBS 6:16-19 

As I began to read through this chapter I thought, “How in the world am I going to break ALL this down to study?!?!”  Proverbs is so full of small chunks of wisdom that seem a bit scattered in topic.  Then I got this gentle reminder:

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ~Proverbs 9:10

 

So my dependence for this is on the Holy One.

 

Since Tera’s blog is directed toward Biblical womanhood, the 4^th verse jumped right out at me. (of course)

 

A virtuous wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. ~Proverbs 12:4

 

As the chapter goes on there is verse after verse about our words.  Is that a coincidence? Of course it isn’t.

 

The Lord’s Word is flawless…. ~Psalm 18:30

 

Here are some definitions of key words in verse 4:

 

Virtuous: having or showing high moral standards

Ashamed: embarrassed or guilty because of one’s actions. (the root of this word means “to cover”)

Rotten: made weak

 

A crown represents power, honor and glory.  Is our conversation reflecting that toward our husband?  Are we crowning our husband daily?  Are we choosing words of virtue or shame?

 

When a man walks into a room he is just a man, BUT when a man walks into a room with a crown on his head our perspective of him changes.  His title changes.  Maybe his demeanor even changes.  He is now royalty.  We see power and authority in him.

 

When a godly man walks into a room with a virtuous wife on his arm people know there is something different there.  That man becomes powerful because of her excellent conduct.  He wears his "crown" proudly! However, when a man walks into a room with a wife of shame he becomes weak because of her conduct.  Remember the root of the word shame means “to cover”.  He may not even want to walk into that room because of US!!! (ouch)

 

Ladies, do you really like a weak man?  Come on….of course you don’t!!!!  We love strength in our man.  At least I do!

I did a little research on the coronation process and found some very interesting parallels with a wedding ceremony. Here are some of the steps to coronation (crowning of royalty):

1. The whole ceremony takes place in a church. It is considered a holy experience.
2. The crown recipient enters to music. Verses from Psalm 122 are sung.
3. The recipient is adorned in beautiful attire.
4. There is an oath taken
5. The recipient’s robe is removed (bride’s veil raised)
6.  The Holy Spirit is invoked and recipient is anointed with oil (“You may kiss the bride”)
7. The crown is placed on the head of the recipient. (a ring is placed on the finger)
8. The trumpets sound and the congregation shouts. (we walk back down the aisle)
9. The new ruler moves to the throne and takes possession of his new kingdom. (the husband is now the head of the kingdom of his home)

I have one more verse to point out to you because I love how this all flowed together for me. (God is sooo good y'all!)

 

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. ~Proverbs 12:26

 

Women are creatures of communication and conversation.  We love to talk, talk, talk. God warns us in this verse to choose our friends carefully for a reason.  Our friends are who we talk, talk, talk to.  If our conversation is always negative with a certain “friend” then we need to examine that friendship to see if it is leading us away from the Word of God or toward it. Some friendships are toxic.  They can even be toxic to our marriage just from our conversation.  Conversation puts suggestions and thoughts into our mind. And believe me my mind is already a battlefield before putting anything negative from someone else in there.  I always think of that saying “Birds of a feather flock together.” Are the birds that your flock is comprised of representing who God wants you to be?

 

I love when the Word reveals something new.  I pray it has given you a fresh look at this verse along with me.  I am so thankful to Tera for this blog and her heart for the Holy things.  I love you sister!!!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: NAOMI CHANCE is the wife of almost 16 years to Dale, and homeschooling mom to 3 children.  She serves as Ladies' Ministries Director at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas.