Character Will Affect Relationships

Proverbs 11:1-17

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1)

An abomination is something a person loathes or finds very disgusting, something he hates.  One thing that God loathes is cheating in business dealings, by using an inaccurate scale to weigh things for example.  He loves honest practices.

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)

Pride leads to over confidence, carelessness, and a lack of planning.  This results in failure and embarrassment.  People tend to think things through more carefully who know their own limitations.  As a result, they don’t crash as often or as badly.

   

“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.  Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.   The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.  When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.”  (Proverbs 11:3-8)

People who have an established moral standard the practice have no problem deciding what is right or wrong.  People who do not establish limits on what they will do eventually get into things that destroy them because they have no guidelines.  When judgment comes, their wealth will not protect them, but a reputation for doing what is right will.  Those who have done evil will suffer the consequences of their actions, and what they hoped to gain by them will be lost.  They will suffer the hurts they inflicted on others for ever.

“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.   When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” (Proverbs 11:9-11)

People tend to judge others on the basis of what they know about themselves.  A hypocrite accuses his neighbor of what he does himself, and because of his understanding is able to make a case and destroy his neighbor.  Through his knowledge of what is right the honest and good man will be able to defend himself.  When the good and honest are encouraged and the evil are driven out, the community is grows strong and the people are happy.  When the evil speak freely, they destroy the strength and happiness.

“He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” (Proverbs 11:12-13)

Stupid people assume other people are dumb or dishonest, but smart ones wait to find out.  Some people can’t wait to tell what they know and reveal things they shouldn’t but people who can be trusted don’t go around telling everything they know. 

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:4)

In situations where nobody knows what to do, people make mistakes, but where there are a lot of people with experience to advise them, they are unlikely to make serious mistakes if they are willing to listen.

“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.” (Proverbs 11:15)

It is impossible to be sure what other people will do, and if you have taken responsibility for the actions of someone you don’t know, such as co-signing for a loan or posting bail, you are likely to end up paying for it.  A person who hates the idea of other people taking responsibility for a person’s actions can be trusted to take responsibility for his own. 

  

“A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.” (Proverbs 11:16)

A compassionate and polite woman will earn and keep people’s respect just as a strong man will keep what he has from being taken.

 

“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” (Proverbs 11:17)

The kind and compassionate man who doesn’t give everybody what he thinks they deserve earns the appreciation of people around him, and has peace and a clear conscience.  One who is cruel and demanding earns his neighbors hatred and has to live with a guilty conscience and fear of what others will do to him.