Blessings of the Righteous Versus the Curses of the Evil (Insights in Psalms)

The world needs men and women.......
a.. who cannot be bought;
b.. whose word is their bond;
c.. who put character above wealth;
d.. who possess opinions and a will;
e.. who are larger than their vocations;
f.. who do not hesitate to take chances;
g.. who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;
h.. who will make no compromise with wrong;
i.. whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;
j.. who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";
k.. who are true to their friends through good report and evil report in adversity as well as in prosperity;
l.. who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheartedness are the best qualities for winning success;
m.. who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
n.. who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes." (Dr. Larry M. Groves )
Proverbs 12 describes the blessings of the righteous versus the curses of the evil. 

Blessings of the Righteous  
Those who love instruction and knowledge, experience the following blessings:

• Obtain favor from the Lord 
  
• Stable
• Virtuous wife is crown of husband
• Just thoughts
• Mouth delivers them
• Family endures
• Praised according to insight

Curses of the Evil 
Those who hate reproof, experience the following curses: 

• Condemnation from the Lord
• Unstable 
• Shameful wife is rottenness in his bones 
• Deceitful counsel
• Words lie in wait for blood
• Overthrown and are no more
• Perverse heart despised (Prov. 12:1-8)

Characteristics of the Righteous
Those who are highly esteemed with a servant demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Regards animals
• Diligent in working to make money
• Yields fruit
• Escape from trouble
• Satisfied with good by fruit of his mouth 
• Listens to counsel 

Characteristics of the Evil
Those who honor themselves and lack bread demonstrate the following characteristics: 

• Cruel
• Lacks sense in pursuing vain things
• Desires booty of evil men
• Ensnared by transgression of his lips
• Deeds return to him 
• Right in his own eyes (Prov. 12:9-15)

Speech of the Righteous
The prudent who conceal dishonor speak in the following ways:  

• Speaks truth and righteousness
• Speaks wisdom and healing
• Truthful lips established forever
• Counselors of peace have joy
• No harm
• Deal faithfully are delight to the Lord
• Conceals knowledge

Speech of the Evil
The foolish who make their frustrations known immediately speak in the following ways:

• Speaks deceit and falseness
• Speaks rashly like thrusts of a sword
• Lying tongue is temporary
• Deceitful heart
• Filled with trouble
• Lying lips are abomination to the Lord
•  Proclaims folly (Prov. 12:16-23)

Outcome of the Righteous
The diligent allows them to rule so they experience the following outcomes:

• Good word makes it glad
• Guide to neighbor
• Diligence is precious possession
• Life

Outcome of the Evil
The slack hand will be put to forced labor so they experience the following outcomes:

• Anxiety weighs it down
• Leads people astray
• Does not catch its prey
• Death (Prov. 12:24-28)

Which of the blessings, characteristics, speech and outcome of the righteous do you need right now? Ask the Holy Spirit to apply it in your life as you memorize that verse.

---