by Bruce Billington

Weekly Devotional 19th of June, 2026

In this session, we will now look at Proverbs Chapter 12. This chapter produces a constant contrast between the Wise and the Foolish, and between the Righteous and the Wicked. 

Proverbs 12:5-7 – “The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.8 A man will be praised according to his insight, but one of perverse mind will be despised.”

The righteous have peace of heart and mind, a deep sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfilment, and the presence and guidance of God day by day. Of course, this does not mean they never suffer adversity or pain, because they do. It simply means they avoid the sinful acts that cause people to stumble and fall. They protect themselves from such danger by concentrating on that which is right in the sight of God, but the godless have only a selfish purpose, which they seek to attain by deceiving and at the cost of their neighbour.

God’s word discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12) and judges them. Our thoughts are not free. They are known by God even before we think them – Psalm 139:2. We should learn to observe the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts and judge ourselves by them – they indicate where we are at before the Lord and what we need to work on. 

If we do allow unrighteous thoughts to fester, they will inevitably lead us to sinful actions. We need to train ourselves to deal with them the moment they enter our minds. If we don’t handle it at this point, it will conceive — it will give birth to sin as shown next.  

Verse 6 shows how these contrasting plans are put into effect. For the wicked, the content of their words (e.g., false accusations, bribes, disparaging remarks, conspiracies) aims to cause great harm to the innocent. In contrast, those who are well-meaning will deliver them from evil and bring them into the realm of noble plans and intentions.

Verse 7 says the wicked are overthrown. This word speaks of a sudden upset and reversal of the conditions they were hoping for. It means they have incurred God’s judgment instead of achieving their own objectives, leaving them so weakened that they lack the strength to recover after His dealings with them.  

In contrast, the righteous who conform their lives to God and seek to give life to others will live. Their house will stand, both within their community and in their future. They will be able to weather the storms that threaten to demolish them. Salvation has always been a family matter (cf. Acts 16:28). 

Notice the progression in these proverbs: righteous motives and intentions produce righteous words that help others, which, in turn, produce righteous lives and homes that stand firm and strong.

Verse 8 says that the good sense of the wise is appreciated, while the warped hearts (minds) of the wicked are despised. People whose intentions are pure and honourable find favour both with the Lord and with others. Because of their wisdom—sound judgement and insight—they are exalted by their neighbours and the community. But those with twisted, corrupt hearts are understandably despised by those around them. It is twisted, corrupt hearts that bring so much trouble to the world—all the immoral, lawless, and violent behaviour that harms and destroys so many lives.

God knows the truth. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows every secret word, deed, thought, and motive. Like David, we should ask God to search us thoroughly—not just our actions but also our hearts—to reveal any wickedness deep within us.

It is good to pray, as David did, 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24).

God bless you.