Proverbs 12:20

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight: 

Proverbs 12:20 (ESV Strong's)

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

but those who plan peace have joy.

To some, family reunions are the one time you get together and forget that you don’t like each other. When they happen they are full of joy. So, too, the heart that tries to promote unity and peace within a family the other 364 days a year. Solomon tells us that the by-product of a life that is promoting peace is a heart full of joy. The joy comes not from the actual accomplishment of peace, but when we are in the act of making peace; promoting it. The converse of that is the heart that is set on doing evil. They have on their mind the destruction and malice of the lives of others. For those who practice and plot evil, the by-product is deceit. We have a choice as to what type of by-product we want in our lives: Deceit or Joy? Sow peace and reap joy. Christ wanted us to be peacemakers:

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Those who are righteous in Christ, sow peach:

James 3:18

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

When we love God’s Word we have peace:

Psalms 119:165

Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble.

Christ came to give us peace:

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.