H – WISDOM OF PROVERBS – 8
OUR HEART
Before we look at Proverbs, let us consider the meaning of “heart” in the Scriptures. It certainly is not the organ that pumps blood and keeps us alive; and yet, our “heart” can keep us spiritually alive. Heart denotes the activities in the inner most self. It involves the emotions, desires, thoughts, and decisions. It can be divided for we are told to love God with ALL our heart, not just a part of it. Prov.3:5 Hopefully, we are familiar with Deut.6:5. This is quoted by Jesus in Lk.10:27 and other gospels so it still stands today.
Proverbs says a lot about our heart. An evil heart is contrasted with a good heart throughout Proverbs. Prov.10:20 The contrast here is between something of great worth (a choice piece of silver) and an evil heart. This kind of a heart is worth little. Prov.11:20 tells us that the perverse heart (the heart which stubbornly and deliberately goes against God’s commands) is an abomination to God. Our purpose in life is to please Him and not to be detestable and loathsome to the One who gives us life. A perverse heart will not prosper. Prov.17:20
The King James version speaks of a perverse heart being despised, not only of God but in general. Prov.12:8 The deceitful heart (a heart that is dishonest and conceals the truth) is one that will devise or invent evil. Prov.12:20 A person may seem to be righteous on the outside but Prov.26:23 describes him as a common earthen vessel that is covered with silver. He has the appearance of good but inside is wicked. This glaze of goodness is sometimes evident in words. A person speaks with words like honey but in his heart he is thinking evil. Prov.26:24,25
Many times in Proverbs the wicked are termed as fools or described as foolish. Perhaps it would be well to determine the meaning of “fool” before delving into the Proverbs that concern this term. In Hebrew a fool is one who is shameless and hates knowledge. Prov.1:22 He takes no pleasure in understanding. Prov.18:2 He loves to do mischief. Prov.10:23 He shows no honor and receives no honor. Prov.3:35 If he troubles his own house, he will become a servant to the wise of heart. Prov.11:29
A fool blurts out whatever he thinks at the time. A prudent or wise man holds back what he knows and considers whether what he thinks should be spoken and when. Prov.12:23 The wise man will give knowledge but the fool does not care for knowledge. Prov.15:7 Neither does he care for understanding. He just wants to give his own opinion. Prov.18:2; Prov.15:28 We need wisdom to instruct our words. Prov.16:23; Prov.16:1
How much better it is for wisdom to enter our heart. Prov.2:10 It is not an automatic undertaking. Prov.2:2 gives two action words to which we must give our attention. These are—apply and turning our ear. It is important to listen, learn, and then apply these things to our heart. Prov.3:1 It is important to know the commandments of the Lord or how can we apply them to our heart? Prov.4:4 We are exhorted to keep them in the middle of our heart. Prov.4:20,21 With God’s words in our heart, we must watch over our heart with diligence that we don’t loose them. Prov.4:23 How? Prov.6:21 Prov.7:2,3 Our heart needs a tablet where we list God’s will for us.
The heart of the person who has understanding will obtain wisdom. Prov.14:33 A plea goes out to fools and those of simple minds. Prov.8:5 Rather than receiving the word, fools babble on while the wise will listen and receive commands. Prov.10:8; Prov.15:14 We need to be careful as to what our hearts feed on.
Even with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, a person is warned against some tendencies that make a person fall. One of these is anxiety. Prov.12:25 Perhaps we have experienced how this weighs on a person. Prov.15:13,15 There may even be bitterness in our heart. Prov.14:10 As much as we need to help someone with this problem, it is difficult when we have not gone through it. There is a time to show joy and a time to not show joy but rather compassion. Prov.14:13; Prov.25:20
How we hope for something and when it is postponed, what a let-down is experienced. Prov.13:12 Then it finally comes to pass, it is like a tree of life. We need to keep a tranquil heart and not let passion run away with itself. Prov.14:30
Prov.24:12 The Lord knows our heart. Prov.15:11 He even tests our hearts. Prov.17:3 Even when we think we are right, the Lord is weighing or examining our heart. Prov.21:2 We are told to apply our heart to discipline. Prov.23:12 How often do we really discipline our heart? What does this mean? Where are our thoughts? If they are not where they should be, then we should get our minds back to godly thoughts. Envious thoughts, busybody thoughts into other’s business, gossip, thoughts of entertainment that contains sin—all of these need discipline. Phil.4:8 We need to use discipline on ourselves. Prov.20:9 Sometimes our minds are not focused on what God wants us to do or be. We allow our minds to wander wherever they will go. God knows this and is examining our heart or mind.
The importance is what is in the heart and not what we speaks. We may sound very gracious in words, but our heart may not be thinking in a gracious way. The real “you” is what you are thinking in your heart. To others your thoughts may not be perceptible, but God knows and weighs or examines. Our thoughts make us. May they be godly in every way. Prov.23:7
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