Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Key Verse: “The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” – Proverbs 10:14 (NIV)
Proverbs 10 marks a turning point in the book of Proverbs. From this chapter onward, Solomon presents a series of short, contrasting sayings that compare the life of the wise to that of the foolish. Each verse offers practical guidance for daily living, often touching on speech, integrity, work ethic, and relationships. One such powerful nugget is found in verse 14.
“The wise store up knowledge…” This part of the verse speaks of intentionality. The wise person doesn’t just stumble into wisdom—they store it up. Like saving for a rainy day, they collect insight, truth, and understanding through study, listening, reflection, and experience. In our world of quick takes, social media sound bites, and fast opinions, this is a great reminder: true wisdom requires patience and discernment.
Contrast this with the second half of verse 14: “...but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” In other words, a foolish person talks too much and listens too little. There have certainly been times when I have fallen into this category! How often have we seen someone hurt their reputation, relationships, or opportunities simply because they didn’t pause to think before they spoke?
So, what are my takeaways?
- Be intentional about learning. In a world full of noise, choose depth over volume. Read more, observe more. Seek out mentors. Ask questions. Listen more. Store up knowledge like treasure—it will guide you when life’s challenges come.
- Practice restraint in speech. Pause before you speak or post. Ask: Is this wise? Is it helpful? Is it true? Not every opinion needs to be shared, and not every argument needs your input. Let your words reflect the wisdom you’ve stored, not the emotion of the moment.
- Guard your influence. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or just navigating friendships, your words carry weight. Proverbs 10 reminds us that careless talk can bring ruin—not just to ourselves, but to others. Use your voice to build, not break.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to walk in wisdom. Help me to seek knowledge and understanding with humility and to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Let my words reflect Your truth and grace. In a world that moves fast, help me to slow down and store up what truly matters. Amen.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.