Pursuing Proverbs – Chapter 14
Lord, teach me to be…
Wise. I often write in a prayer journal. As a mom of two young boys, my most prominent prayer is that of patience. Second to patience is wisdom. King Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9, "so give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and distinguish between right and wrong." This request served Solomon well. Like Solomon, I pray for discernment to obtain spiritual guidance and understanding.
Regardless of prayer, I still fumble through some situations, generally leaping ahead in foolishness instead of patiently waiting for discernment from the Spirit. Maybe you can relate?
Good thing we can look to Proverbs 14 for teachable ways to obtain and make wise decisions. This chapter is often coined "the contrast of folly and wisdom." Proverbs 14 is one of those chapters in the Bible that goes back and forth repeatedly, giving me a bit of a headache as I attempt to digest the teaching. It makes me picture the old-school cartoon angel and devil sitting on my shoulders, battling for my behavior and soul.
Rash and foolish ways may sometimes appeal to our flesh, but this chapter shows us the importance of prudent and thoughtful ways to approach life and the consequences of living in folly. In the first verse of Proverbs 14, we see the fruitfulness of a godly, wise woman and the consequences of a woman who indulges in self-centered ways. "The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down."
A good woman is an abundant blessing to a family. She builds her house by raising God-fearing, educated, respectful children and carefully considering the family's affairs to bring prosperity and provision to the home. In contrast, the foolish woman tears down the walls in confusion from laziness, lack of care, and love of self.
Like me, you may think that is all good and well, but wonder how do I become a wise woman who builds up her home? If we skip to verse 8, we see the infamous word, "discern." "The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving." We must constantly seek the counsel of the Lord through prayer, through the Spirit, and reading the Word. This practice equips us to make decisions according to God's will and exercise prudence in important affairs, leading us on the right path.
Friend, what decisions in your life do you need to lean on the guidance of the Spirit? For me, it is just about every decision except my lipstick color. Join me as we pray for wisdom and discernment to build our house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27).
This originally appeared in the August 2022 Pursuing Proverbs series for The Round Farmhouse Ministries. Be sure to check out their site and social pages.