Proverbs 11:1-12

“The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead” (v8).  The proverbs teach that because God created our world, when we cooperate with Him, things go better, while choosing our own, rebellious path leads to trouble.  Living by true words and right actions protects us (v3), but we destroy ourselves by hypocrisy.  With every self-indulgent choice, we are “taken captive” (v6), and when we belittle and slander others, we destroy relationships and cause harm (v9,12,13).

There is a better way.  With God’s help we can be “trustworthy in spirit” (v13), people of kindness and integrity who shine brightly in a dark world.