Contributor: Wale Abiona

Introduction
In continuation of our study in the book of Proverbs, we will be looking at Chapters 11-17 for additional wisdom on how to live righteously with the understanding of consequences of failure to take counsel from God.
These chapters touch on the issue of making wise choices and the blessings and curses of pride. May the Holy spirit gives us understanding in Jesus' name.

Chapter 11 – The upright and the wicked.
Verse(s): 1–3, 7-8
"1 The Lord hates false scales, but he loves accurate weights. 2 Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble. 3 Good people are guided by their honesty, but crooks who lie and cheat will ruin themselves." 

"7 When the wicked die, all their hopes are lost; everything they thought they could do comes to nothing. 8 Good people escape from trouble, but the wicked come along and are trapped by it."

Revelation: An upright, godly life leads a person in the right path. Those who reject wisdom are consumed and destroyed by their own evil.

Application: this chapter urges us to cultivate virtues and shun vices, illustrating the profound consequences that our actions can bring (Proverbs 11:30–31).

Chapter 12 – Wisdom and Foolishness.
Verse(s): 1-4; 15
"1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favour from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. 3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."

"15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise."

Revelation: Those who embrace discipline will be wise and behave themselves wisely. They will keep themselves from destruction that follow those who are wicked.

Application: The knowledge of what is good and acceptable comes from following God’s instruction. When we are divinely guided, by instruction we will be established in righteousness (Proverbs 12:7).

Chapter 13 – Wise Choice
Verse(s): 3, 16, 17 & 20
"3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction."

"16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly."

"17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health."

"20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed."

Revelation: It is better to be wise than to be foolish. Keeping right company is a sign of wisdom and spiritual maturity.

Application: We are to demonstrate wisdom in our utterance and avoid keeping company with the wicked because they lack understanding of spiritual things (Psalm 1:1).

Chapter 14 – Life and Death by choice
Verse(s): 1-3, 7 & 11-12

"1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. 2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. 3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them."

"7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge."

"11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."

Revelation: It is foolish to reject God's truth and instruction. This will only lead to disaster.

Application: (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 1:7). Sin is deceptive in nature and can make rejecting God instruction seem like a good idea, but the result is tragedy. To avoid negative earthly consequences, we should follow godly counsel and stay away from the ungodly. In either case, that which a person chooses—selfishness or godliness—is repaid to them. Proverbs 14:11–14).

Chapter 15 – A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath – (Common sense)
Verse(s): 1- 5

"1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent."

Revelation: A wise person carefully chooses their response, rather than babbling out whatever comes to mind. Closely connected to this is the need to humbly accept correction (Proverbs 15:1–5). Also, God observes everything, despising the wicked's sacrifices but loving the prayers of the upright.

Application: If we are to follow peace with all men…, then we must learn to control our emotions. Cautious and gentle answers do not only prevent additional strife, but they also reduce whatever tension already exists. We must be careful and sensible to listen to godly wisdom. It is a sign of humility that comes through a reverent honor of God (Proverbs 15:33).

Chapter 16 – Calls for aligning our plans with God's purposes.
Verse(s): 1-3,  16 & 19

"1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established."

"16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."

"19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Revelation: Human nature can lead us to arrogance and ignorance. Failure to seek God's will or examine our own motives can lead to disaster. Lord sees the heart, weighs the spirit, and determines what will happen. The Lord is sovereign; He has a purpose for everything He created. (vs 9). God detests arrogance—spiritual pride that causes a person to reject God—but is pleased when one turns away from evil. Godly wisdom is better than any material wealth.

Application: There is a clear distinction between evil people and those who are righteous. A righteous life is deemed better than silver or gold. A righteous life is the one that follow God’ original plan. Trusting in own strength or wisdom will only take us away from God’s presence. We should rather seek to align self with God’s plan for our life by taking counsel from his word.

Chapter 17 – Wisdom for righteous and godly daily living.
It outlines various life situations and offers timeless wisdom on how to navigate them.
The first section of this chapter deals with virtues such as family harmony and honesty. God cannot be deceived, and He knows precisely what's on each person's heart (Proverbs 17:1–6).
(Proverbs 17:7–21) These verses cover a wide range of ideas, which include sins that cause anger or division between people, friendship, and careful use of one's resources.
(Proverbs 17:22–28) These verses end with wisdom centered on godly spirituality and a controlled tongue.