Proverbs 11:12 (Mini Sermon)

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1.      Pro 11:12 – “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”

1. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour:
   1. Definitions
      1. Void adj. – 1. Of a see, benefice, etc.: Having no incumbent, holder, or possessor; unoccupied, vacant.  4. Not occupied by visible contents; containing no matter; empty, unfilled:
      2. Wisdom n. – – 1. a. Capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct; soundness of judgement in the choice of means and ends; sometimes, less strictly, sound sense, esp. in practical affairs: opp. to folly.
      3. Despise v. – 1. trans. To look down upon; to view with contempt; to think scornfully or slightingly of.
      4. Neighbour n. – 1. One who lives near or next to another; one who occupies a near or adjoining house, one of a number of persons living close to each other, esp. in the same street or village.
      5. In other words, the man that possesses no sound judgment or sense and makes poor decisions looks down upon, views with contempt, and thinks scornfully of those who live in close proximity to him.
   2. If you find a man who is void of wisdom, you will likely have found a man who despises his neighbors.

• If you find a man who despises his neighbors, you will likely have found a man who is void of wisdom.
  1. Despising others is a mark of foolishness and pride (Luk 18:9-13; Psa 123:3-4).
  2. How many wise men do you know who despise their neighbors and those closest to them without a just cause?

1. A man who has wisdom will not despise his neighbors without good cause.
   1. It is sinful to despise one’s neighbor (Pro 14:21).
      • We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mat 22:37-40; Jam 2:8).
      • Love works no ill towards his neighbor (Rom 13:10).
   2. It is foolish to despise one’s neighbor.
      • A neighbor nearby is better than a brother far off (Pro 27:10).
      • Neighbors can be helpful in time of need, calamity, or danger (Ecc 4:9-12).
   3. Why do those who are void of wisdom despise their neighbors?
      1. They are stupid and therefore hate those who reprove and correct them (Pro 15:5; Pro 1:7; Pro 9:7-8; Pro 13:1; Pro 23:9).
         • Neighbors are mostly likely to observe the wicked behavior of those who are void of understanding (Pro 7:6-10).
         • Neighbors are most likely to reprove and correct others because they are closest to them and know them best.
         • A good neighbor will rebuke his neighbor and not suffer sin upon him (Lev 19:17).
         • A good neighbor will search out a claim made by his neighbor before believing it (Pro 18:17).
         • Thus the reason that fools despise their neighbors.
      2. When a fool strives hastily with his neighbor and is put to shame by him, he will despise him for it (Pro 25:8-10).
      3. Those who are void of understanding are lazy and don’t take care of their property (Pro 24:30-34), and are therefore likely to despise their neighbors who do take care of their property and complain about those who don’t.
   4. Those who are void of wisdom desire evil, and therefore their neighbors will find no favor in their eyes, but rather contempt (Pro 21:10).

• Fools destroy their neighbors with their mouths (Pro 11:9).

1. but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
   1. Definitions
      1. Understanding n. – 1. a. (Without article.) Power or ability to understand; intellect, intelligence. b. of understanding, intelligent, capable of judging with knowledge. Similarly of some, of no, understanding.
      2. Hold – 1. a. To keep watch over, keep in charge, herd, ‘keep’ (sheep, etc.); to rule (men). Only in OE. and early ME. Obs.  2. a. To keep from getting away; to keep fast, grasp.
      3. Peace n. – 1. a. Freedom from, or cessation of, war or hostilities; that condition of a nation or community in which it is not at war with another.  13. to hold one’s peace: to remain quiet or silent; to keep silence, refrain from speaking.
      4. In other words, an intelligent man who is capable of judging with knowledge will remain silent and refrain from speaking even when he is provoked by his neighbor.
   2. Holding one’s peace is restraining one’s spirit when provoked to anger (Pro 16:32; Jam 1:19-20).

• It is a mark of wisdom to hold one’s peace (Job 13:5) and remain silent, especially when provoked.
  1. A fool utters all his mind at the time of provocation, but a wise man keeps it in until afterwards (Pro 29:11; Pro 14:33).
  2. He that refrains his lips is wise (Pro 10:19).
  3. Whoso keeps his mouth keeps his soul from troubles (Pro 21:23).
  4. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace (Pro 17:27-28).

1. A man of understanding will keep his mouth shut concerning his irritation with his neighbor when he is around others.
2. A man of understanding will hold his peace even when he is despised (1Sa 10:27; Mat 27:12-14).
3. He will keep his mouth shut concerning his feelings about his neighbor who hates him when he is in the presence of others.
4. A man of understanding will commit the matter to God and let Him deal with his enemies (1Pe 2:23).