Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:8, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
American Standard Version
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked cometh in his stead.
World English Bible version
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
Proverbs 11:8 Meaning & Commentary
No logical and reasonable person would purposely choose to walk into trouble if they could potentially avoid it. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:8 that the righteous person is delivered from trouble, but the wicked walks into it. How does this happen, and how can the righteous person be delivered from trouble, yet the wicked person walks right into it? God watches over the righteous (His people), and The Bible tells us that God orders our footsteps: Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.
This means that God may see trouble, danger, or problems coming even before we may see them and cause us to be delivered from that by ordering our steps in life. The wicked person is doing life on his own and is not reliant and dependent on God as Lord of his life: Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Because the wicked person is doing life alone, they rely on their understanding and logic, which is not a good way to live.
There is also a more practical understanding of Proverbs 11:8, which is that the wicked participate in evil activities and hence are more susceptible to trouble. In contrast, the righteous walk the straight and narrow road with God and are delivered from the sort of trouble that people sometimes get into by hanging around the wrong places, with the wrong people, or doing the wrong things, which does not please God.
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 11:8 to our lives?
We are commanded to trust in The Lord, not in our understanding or ability: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. As we put our trust in God, not in our reason, logic, or understanding, God will make our paths straight and order our footsteps. There is a temptation as we acquire more knowledge, experience, and even wisdom to try and lean on these things, but we need to remind ourselves that God sees and knows everything before we do and can see what we cannot see.
We, therefore, need to choose daily to set our eyes upon Jesus Christ, who can deliver us from trouble (before it comes), or out of trouble (if we are in it): Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Another practical application of Proverbs 11:8 is to be very considerate and mindful about what we do with our lives.
There is a saying: “If you hang around with dogs, you will get fleas.” This means that the company you keep, where you go, and what you do can cause you to land up in trouble, or it can cause you to get closer to God. The Bible warns us against keeping bad company: 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals. So, keeping bad company can cause our morals to be destroyed, and we can potentially find ourselves walking into trouble.
How many people have gotten into trouble just by keeping the wrong company? It will be tough for a kid in school to never get into trouble if the group he hangs around with are always getting into trouble. On the contrary, keep good (and wise) company, and you will likely be delivered out of trouble: Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I humbly acknowledge that You know all things, and you can see what I cannot see. I recognize my dependence on you. Thank you that your desire is for me to walk in victory and success in every area of my life. I ask that you help me to keep my mind and my eyes fixed on you all the days of my life.
Please keep me walking in the footsteps which you have ordained for my life and surround me with wise counselors who will help me to walk safely and securely. I ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen!
