“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” (Proverbs 1:5, ESV)
“Don’t touch! Owie!” I instructed my toddler son who was eyeing the stovetop. My youngest child hovered around my legs as I prepared dinner. I put my hand near the burner, then quickly pulled it away as I felt the heat radiating from the flame. “It’s hot! Don’t touch!”
His
blue eyes flashed in defiance and before I could snatch his hand, his chubby fingers
darted toward the hot burner like a squirrel to a bird feeder. Instantly, he
withdrew his hand. Shock and pain filled his round face as tears trickled down
his pudgy cheeks.
I
scooped my son into my arms to comfort him and began running his fingers under
cold water. Thankfully, his fingers didn’t blister and he was better within
minutes. I hoped the next time I warned him about danger, he would listen.
As
the book of Proverbs begins, we receive a word regarding the importance of
heeding what the entire book teaches. We can mull over its wisdom and allow its
truth to penetrate our hearts and lead toward obedience or ignore it and suffer
the consequences like my toddler son.
Too
often I respond like my youngest child. I think somehow I know better. Or that
it doesn’t apply to me. Or that I possess enough wisdom already. But Proverbs
chapter one makes it clear: everyone needs knowledge, even those who are wise.
We never stop needing to have godly people speak truth into our lives or glean
from Scripture because “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah
17:9). We must realign our hearts to the Bible day after day because we are
prone toward sinful patterns and masters at convincing ourselves we’re
“okay”—even when “sin is crouching at the door” (Genesis 4:3).
My
son decided what he wanted wouldn’t hurt him. And we can mirror this same heart
attitude as we go about our days if we aren’t careful—endless scrolling on
social media, choosing entertainment before mediating upon God’s Word, failing
to do good to those God places in our paths, sharp words with our kids.
Wisdom
is calling out to us so we won’t fall into sinful patterns that will destroy
us. The evil one “comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” but we know Jesus
came “that [we] may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). If we
want to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must
decide each day to tune our ears to wisdom’s voice and understand the dangers
each day brings if we fail to obey. Dear ones, may we listen to wisdom and reap
the blessings of obedience.
This devotional was first published at The Round Farmhouse.