Pursuing good invites divine and human favor; seeking evil invites its fruit swiftly.
“He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who searches after evil, it will come to him.” (v.27) This portion of Proverbs emphasizes that our efforts often bring about the very outcomes we pursue. In seeking what is good—through kindness, generosity, and sincerity—people may experience the favor of both God and others. On the other hand, pursuing harmful or destructive ideas accelerates the arrival of negative consequences. This principle echoes the general biblical theme of reaping the fruits of either righteousness or wickedness (see also Galatians 6:7), encouraging believers to choose their path wisely.
When we “diligently seek good” (v.27), we align our hearts and behaviors with values such as honesty, gentleness, and compassion. This search invades our daily interactions and forms the essence of our personal character. As we maintain a steady pursuit of what pleases God, we find ourselves in a favorable position, one that allows blessings to flow from Him as well as from those who respect virtuous living. The verse stands as a reminder that our inner motivations inevitably shape our outward circumstances.
Conversely, the one who “searches after evil, it will come to him” (v.27) warns of a self-fulfilling prophecy. When someone looks for corruption or harm, they set in motion actions that bring about destructive ends. Rather than a simple moral punishment, this verse teaches that a persistent pursuit of harm paves the way for personal ruin. The wisdom of Solomon highlights the power of one’s pursuits: we reap what we sow, for better or for worse.
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Proverbs 11:27 meaning
“He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who searches after evil, it will come to him.” (v.27) This portion of Proverbs emphasizes that our efforts often bring about the very outcomes we pursue. In seeking what is good—through kindness, generosity, and sincerity—people may experience the favor of both God and others. On the other hand, pursuing harmful or destructive ideas accelerates the arrival of negative consequences. This principle echoes the general biblical theme of reaping the fruits of either righteousness or wickedness (see also Galatians 6:7), encouraging believers to choose their path wisely.
When we “diligently seek good” (v.27), we align our hearts and behaviors with values such as honesty, gentleness, and compassion. This search invades our daily interactions and forms the essence of our personal character. As we maintain a steady pursuit of what pleases God, we find ourselves in a favorable position, one that allows blessings to flow from Him as well as from those who respect virtuous living. The verse stands as a reminder that our inner motivations inevitably shape our outward circumstances.
Conversely, the one who “searches after evil, it will come to him” (v.27) warns of a self-fulfilling prophecy. When someone looks for corruption or harm, they set in motion actions that bring about destructive ends. Rather than a simple moral punishment, this verse teaches that a persistent pursuit of harm paves the way for personal ruin. The wisdom of Solomon highlights the power of one’s pursuits: we reap what we sow, for better or for worse.