Proverbs 12:8
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A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
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Praise by good men is good, and it should be sought (3:3-4; 22:1; 27:2). The sure way to earn the praise of good men is wisdom - the power of right judgment and action. But the perverse person, who thinks, speaks, and acts wrongly, will be despised. The choice is yours, reader! Which are you? Which will you be? Commended or despised?
You don't care what others think? Not even good men? Then you are a fool! God's word strictly teaches that good men will identify and praise wise persons, and they will identify and despise persons with perverse hearts. You cannot be wise and hide it from good men, and you cannot be perverse and hide it either (14:7; 27:15-16; Eccl 10:3).
The reputation and rank of a man are dependent on wisdom. Godly popularity and success depend on wisdom. Jesus grew in favor with God and men, and we are told it resulted from his growth in wisdom (Luke 2:52). Godly men will make this difference in other men known, for they are ordered to identify both (Ps 37:37; Rom 16:17; Phil 3:17).
What is wisdom? It is the power of right judgment and action. A man with it can assess a situation and respond in the godly way demanded by Scripture. He has knowledge and understanding; he is discreet and prudent; he is fair and kind; he exalts mercy and truth.
What is a perverse heart? A person not motivated by God and holiness, but by selfish interests that cause him to choose contrary, unreasonable, and wrong courses of action. He is ignorant of wisdom, obstinate, foolish and impulsive, and irritating and offensive.
Men either commend or despise you. You are either perceived as wise or perverse. There is little middle ground. Your reputation is either in the direction of wisdom or perversity. Good men do have opinions, and they do reveal them. They will honor, promote, and seek persons with wise speech and conduct. They will avoid, neglect, and reject fools.
Do not deceive yourself, reader! Do good men seek you, praise you, and promote you? Or do they avoid you, neglect you, and reject you? The difference is obvious, though it may be painful. Forget your family - they cannot tell you the truth. And most of all forget your own thoughts, for your deceitful heart wants to lie to you against the ugly truth.
Do godly and sober men enjoy you, or endure you? Seek you, or avoid you? There is a simple solution! Take hope! You need wisdom, and it is freely offered in Proverbs. Your thoughts have none. Grasp the opportunity! See the comments on 10:7; 12:4; and 22:1.
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