Proverbs 8:1-11
Wisdom Offers Her Service to All
Proverbs 8:12-21
Characteristics of Wisdom That Can Become Ours
Proverbs 8:22-36
The Involvement of Wisdom in Creation
Proverbs 9:1-12
The Way of Wisdom
Proverbs 9:13-18
The Way of Folly
Proverbs 10:1-10
How to Redeem The Time
Proverbs 10:11-16
Contrasts in Life
Proverbs 10:17-24
Discipline Brings Quality to Life
Proverbs 10:25-32
The Contrast of Righteousness And Wickedness
Proverbs 11:1-5
The Lord Hates Dishonesty And Pride
Proverbs 11:6-11
A Hyprocrite is Ready to Falsely Accuse
Proverbs 11:12-15
A Discussion of Community Relationships
Proverbs 11:16-21
Wealth is Very Inferior to Honor
Proverbs 11:22-25
All we Really Have is What we Give
Proverbs 11:26-31
Only The Righteous Have a Secure Future
Proverbs 12:1-5
Right Thoughts Result in Right Actions
Proverbs 12:6-10
Our Chief Aim Should Be to Build Others up
Proverbs 12:11-16
Wicked Words Are The Product of An Evil Heart
Proverbs 12:17-22
Careless Words Are Harmful
Proverbs 12:20-28
A Contrast Between Diligence And Laziness
Proverbs 13:1-5
Our Speech Should be Uplifting
Proverbs 13:6-13
Pride Causes Us to Be Contentious
Proverbs 13:11-15
Following Instruction Will Spare You Sorrow
Proverbs 13:14-20
Friends Will Take You Up or Down
Proverbs 13:21-25
When Genuine Love is Questionable
Proverbs 14:1-5
No Work Means No Harvest
Proverbs 14:6-12
Fools Think Their Ways Are Right
Proverbs 14:13-17
Failing to Live by The Truth of God’s Word
Proverbs 14:18-23
It’s Important to Listen to Instruction
A Discussion of Community Relationships
Proverbs 11:12–15
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A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following: “One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable.” “One who understands our silence.” “A vo … More
This passage discusses community relationships as it talks about one’s neighbor (vv. 9, 12), the city (vv. 10-11), a gossip group (v. 13), advisers for a nation (v. 14) and a consigner (v. 15). When God blesses his people, their city prospers, but deceitful liars can destroy a city (v. 11). It’s stupid to say bad things about your neighbors (v. 12). If you are sensible, you will keep quiet. If a person is overtaken in a fault we are to lovingly admonish him in private and not go talking to everyone else about him (v. 13). “Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). By acting in accordance with the Word of God (Matt. 18:15) much shame and misery will be spared innocent persons, and many wandering ones recovered who are often driven deeper into sin.
To depend entirely upon one’s own judgment is very foolish (v. 14). Even the wisest and godliest is subject to blunders and errors of discernment. A wise person is open to other’s opinions and counsel. In fact, without such counsel, he may make some very serious mistakes.
It’s a dangerous thing to guarantee payment for someone’s debts (v. 15). To go surety for a stranger is a very dangerous thing. Surety is to stand good for another man’s debt when he can’t or doesn’t pay. These words were written to warn men of what is still a very common ground for failure and ruin in business life.
Application
Suppose someone we know very well is accused of a shady business deal with one of our unsaved neighbors. What should I do? It would be good to go to a concordance and look up words on honesty. Then I can explain to my family how important it is that we are always completely honest in all our dealings with others.
Proverbs 11:12-15 (English Standard Version)
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