Practical Wisdom In A Foolish World
Proverbs is God’s instruction book for wisdom. Here’s how to use it every day and let God’s truth shape and change your life.
Sometimes it feels like wisdom is a lost treasure in today’s culture. Foolishness is loud, and it often overshadows the quiet voice of truth and prudence. What an upside-down world. But the Bible, especially the book of Proverbs, offers a clear and timeless path toward godly wisdom.
The very purpose of the book of Proverbs is…
That people may know skillful and godly wisdom and instruction To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, Receive instruction in wise dealings and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice
Let those thoughts from God sink in. Proverbs is a book to make a person wise. To make them wise in practical everyday wisdom! And to increase the wisdom of a wise person.
What Is Wisdom
Before going any further, let’s look at what wisdom truly is. There is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is having information. Wisdom is applying that information in everyday life.
Wisdom takes what we know and puts it into action.
Wisdom is the daily practice of knowledge in practical ways.
Wisdom is about applying God’s truth and living it out in our lives.
A Good Place to Find Wisdom
When each of my children turned 13, I asked them to read one chapter of Proverbs every day until they graduate from high school. But not just read it like a fiction novel, but spend a little time each day digging out God’s truth and wisdom in it! Apply it. Let it guide your choices.
There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, so that meant they would read the book of Proverbs 12 times in a year, and by the time they graduated high school, they would have read it over 60 times!
My children carried on this practice well beyond high school!
Proverbs is the instruction book for becoming wise.
How blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly wisdom, and the man who gets understanding (drawing it forth from God’s word and life’s experiences), for gaining of it is better than gaining silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold. Skillful and godly wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her (wisdom). Proverbs 3:13-15
Words of Wisdom
There is so much practical, every day, walking-around-on-the-path-of-life wisdom in Proverbs. It is filled with practical wisdom for living each day well.
Yes, it was written thousands of years ago, and it is written in the language and customs of the one God chose to be His scribe. However, it remains as relevant today as it was during the reign of King Solomon. Here is just a sampling of God’s practical wisdom…
Watch over your heart (the seat of your mind, will, emotion and intellect) with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Pro 10:4
As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Pro 11:22
Folly is
An arrogant man stirs up strife, but the man who trusts in the Lord will prosper. Pro 29:25
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves
Make Proverbs a Part of Your Daily Life
God has given us the Bible as a guide for life. Right in the center of it is the book of Proverbs, small in size but full of wisdom.
How about you? Do you want to live wisely in a world of folly?
Read one chapter of Proverbs each day. Let it soak in. Write down a verse that stands out to you. Think about what it means and how you can live it. You will grow in wisdom, and those around you will be blessed by it too.
If you don’t have a Bible, you can read Proverbs online HERE. And many churches will happily give you one if you ask.
For starting out, try reading from the Amplified Bible. It’s clear and easy to understand, and it defines important words right in the text.
What I’m Meditating on This Week
Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. Pro 19:20
Frequently Asked Questions About the Book Of Proverbs
Proverbs is a beautiful collection of wise sayings and short teachings filled with godly truth. These verses were written to help us live well and walk in a way that honors God. They’re simple, clear, and packed with everyday wisdom for real life.
King Solomon, renowned for his God-given wisdom, wrote most of Proverbs. But there are other contributors too. Proverbs 30 was written by a man named Agur, and chapter 31 comes from the words of King Lemuel’s mother. No matter the writer, the Holy Spirit is the true Author.
Proverbs tells us exactly why it was written in the very first chapter. It’s meant to give wisdom, instruction, and understanding. It teaches what is right, just, and fair. Proverbs helps the simple grow in prudence and gives knowledge and discretion to the young. And it keeps the wise growing in wisdom as well.
Other Posts You Might Like
Greeting God Each Morning
This post encourages starting every morning in the presence of God. It ties in perfectly with the idea of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day.
Knowing God Through The Book Of Psalms
This post highlights the importance of consistently spending time in God’s Word. It works beautifully alongside your Proverbs reading challenge.
The Eternal Active God
This beautiful post shows how God is always at work and always present. It reinforces that wisdom isn’t just something we learn—it’s something we live.
Happy Sunday, friends…
Good morning, Yvonne!
It is always a pleasure to read your Sunday morning post. Have a blessed day!
Good morning friend! So glad to hear from you!
Thank you…so agree…reading Proverbs…for the past two weeks…reading and rereading…blessings to. You?
God bless you Lisa
Morning Yvonne,
A beautiful post and reminder of how we can find piece in reading the proverbs. Loved how you had your children read the proverbs.
I read Proverbs too and find such wisdom and savvy thoughts
Wonderful practice. I will be sharing this with my granddaughters as well as reading Proverbs myself!
Many blessings.
It will really help in this time of backwards thinking
Your post is exactly what I needed this morning. Thank you for sharing the beauty of scripture.
You are welcome Becky!
❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Thank you, my friend! You are a wise woman, indeed! Have a great day!
Thank you Yvonne for this beautiful post. Although I’m 72 years old, I never stop learning from the book of Proverbs. You said what I needed to hear this morning.
I agree!
Thank you Ivonne. God bless you.
God bless you!