Proverbs 31:12 (NKJV): "She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
What does it mean to do "good"? Dictionary.com defines good as morally excellent, virtuous, or righteous. Conversely, what does it mean to do "evil"? Dictionary.com defines evil as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked; or harmful. There is a clear contrast between actions that would be classified as good and actions that would be classified as evil.
Although this verse specifically speaks to the relationship between the husband and wife, couldn't we consider how this verse should apply in all situations? After all, we should seek to do good and not evil all the days of our lives. While this list isn't exhaustive, here are some additional verses to consider when we study about doing good rather than evil.
Proverbs 11:23: "The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath."
Proverbs 12:2: "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn."
Romans 12:9: "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."
Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Galations 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Phillippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy - meditate on these things."
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Although simple, Proverbs 31:12 can sometimes be very difficult to put into practice. How will I, as a Christian woman, react when my husband forgets to take out the trash? And even beyond how I will react in situations like I just mentioned, what actions will I take to proactively do good to my husband? These are things that I must continually meditate on in my own life.
What does it mean to do "good"? Dictionary.com defines good as morally excellent, virtuous, or righteous. Conversely, what does it mean to do "evil"? Dictionary.com defines evil as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked; or harmful. There is a clear contrast between actions that would be classified as good and actions that would be classified as evil.
Although this verse specifically speaks to the relationship between the husband and wife, couldn't we consider how this verse should apply in all situations? After all, we should seek to do good and not evil all the days of our lives. While this list isn't exhaustive, here are some additional verses to consider when we study about doing good rather than evil.
Proverbs 11:23: "The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath."
Proverbs 12:2: "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn."
Romans 12:9: "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."
Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Galations 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Phillippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy - meditate on these things."
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Although simple, Proverbs 31:12 can sometimes be very difficult to put into practice. How will I, as a Christian woman, react when my husband forgets to take out the trash? And even beyond how I will react in situations like I just mentioned, what actions will I take to proactively do good to my husband? These are things that I must continually meditate on in my own life.
