Day 133, Year 1

Different Paths to Blessing

“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:14 NKJV)

“The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15 NKJV) 

The first verse of today states, “The mouth of fools feeds on foolishness,” that is, fools delight in foolishness, and are satisfied with foolish words and deeds. Conversely, the first step for believers to become wise is to change our preferences and habits, forsake foolishness, and turn to love what is in God’s understanding. Building on our previous discussion, why would the upright walk an understanding path? It is because we are willing to set aside self-righteousness to seek God’s right way. The right way is in fact various true knowledge, which must be understood with discernment. From this perspective, the upright mentioned previously and the understanding mentioned in today’s verse are closely related. Furthermore, the second verse of today brings up the prudent and the wise—both are seekers of knowledge. Thus, the upright, the prudent, and the wise are all seekers on the path of faith and knowledge.

These three types of people might have been different personality archetypes in ancient times. The prudent focused on acquiring knowledge in their hearts, the wise delighted in listening to various knowledge, while the upright looked for the right or knowledgeable path. The prudent valued thinking, comparing, and seeking to understand diverse knowledge, but they might appear to react slowly. The wise were adept at seeking knowledge from different people, skilled in interpersonal interactions, and quicker to respond to others. Yet, their strong connections with people could make them sway from true knowledge easily. The upright emphasized facts and consequences, were skilled at choosing the best options, and readily received God’s rewards. However, their thirst for true knowledge might not be as intense as wise and prudent people. Anyway, all the above three are blessed by God.

In my opinion, each of these types has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and it is best if we could synthesize their strengths altogether. Whether it is a thinking practice, listening to knowledge, or discerning the right path with God’s eyes, these are all right ways to pursue wisdom, knowledge, and understanding comprehensively. Finally, prioritizing the choice of divine life would compel us to seek and firmly remember all true knowledge related to life, so that we and others could be helped and more people could joyfully walk in the narrow way of heaven.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you need to change your preferences and habits to become prudent, wise, and upright thoroughly? If so, in what areas do you need to change by God?

2) Are you closer to a prudent, wise, or upright person? In what way(s) can you advance in faith?