Proverbs 12 "In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death." (v28)

The man or woman who lives according to the Word of God, pursuing wisdom and having a holy fear of the Lord will:

love discipline and knowledge  (v1)
obtain God's favor (v2)
be unmoved by circumstances (v3)
bring honor to his or her spouse (v4)
think just thoughts (v5)
speak words of deliverance to others (v6)
have a secure home and family (v7)
have insight (v8)
be better off (v9)
have compassion even on his animals (v10)
work hard and be fruitful (v11)
yield the fruit of righteousness (v12)
escape from troubles (v13)
be "satisfied with good by the fruit of his words" and be rewarded for his good works. (v14)
listen to counsel (v15)
not speak of another's dishonor (v16)
speaks truth and tells what is right (v17)
speak words of healing (v18)
be eternally established by speaking the truth (v19)
find joy in helping others find peace (v20)
stay out of harm's way (v21)
delight the Lord (v22)
keeps from boasting about his "knowledge" (v23)
be diligent (v24)
bring gladness to others with his good words (v25)
guide his neighbors to righteousness (v26)
have the "precious possession" of diligence (v27)

This is the "delight" of our Lord, to "deal faithfully",  to live this abundant life of righteousness and find favor in His eyes.  Two passages come to mind as I think of these things, especially the many proverbs involving the use of our tongues:
Matthew 15:18-19 " But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders."
and Galatians 5:19-22  " Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality , idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,  of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." 

Jesus says that what is in our heart comes out our mouths. Solomon's proverbs affirm this same truth and adds that it comes out in every part of our lives : our words and actions,  our attitudes and our work ethic; our present path and our future hope.   Paul gives us this - " But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.... Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:16, 24)  He tells us to " let each one examine his own work..." (v4)  We must pay attention to, examine carefully, what is coming out of our mouths and our actions as well.  Are we walking by the Spirit? Are we doing the things listed above that reveal a life of righteousness?  Are we delighting our Lord?

Father in heaven,  You are a loving God and I praise You.  You call us to joy and peace, to truth and righteousness .  You want us to delight in You as You delight in us as we walk in Your ways.  Help me to walk in Your Spirit and to crucify the flesh.  Jesus, thank You for forgiving me my sins and cleansing me from all unrighteousness. Create in me a clean heart so that what comes out of my mouth will be pure and pleasing and good.  Once again, my Savior, I surrender myself to You. amen.