Proverbs in 31 DaysSample

Proverbs provides many wisdom principles to live by. Chapter 21 causes us to consider both our inward motivations and outward actions. The chapter can be broken down into 2 lists: wisdom principles or character traits of the wise, and warnings or character traits of the wicked. Take a look at the chart below to help recap the traits listed of the wise and wicked:

Wisdom principles/ character traits
Warnings

V. 3: does what is right and just
V. 2: thinks their own ways are right

V. 5: diligent
V. 3: puts sacrifice over caring for people

V. 8: upright conduct
V. 4 & 2: haughty and proud

V. 11: pays attention to the wise
V. 6 & 7, 28: lying and violent

V. 26: generous
V. 8: devious

V. 20: stores up wisely
V. 9 & 19: quarrelsome

V. 21: pursues righteousness and love
V. 13: shuts their ears to the cry of the poor

V. 23: guards their mouth and their tongue
V. 16: strays from the path of prudence

V. 28-29: careful listener and thoughtful
V. 17 & 25: loves pleasure and is a sluggard

The inward motivations of the wise lead them to pursue diligence and righteousness. Outwardly, they care for others through conduct and justice, and they seek to be wise with their words. In Luke 10:30-36, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. This Samaritan doesn’t ignore the needs of others, as the priest and Levite do, but cares for the man in distress. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, our actions an outward reflection of what is in our hearts.

Sometimes in Proverbs, the descriptions of the wicked can seem extreme or removed from our own character. However, when we look closely at words contained within the warnings, it forces us to consider and be convicted by what is familiar. Thinking our way is the right way, pride, lying, being quarrelsome, ignoring the needs of others, and loving pleasure are examples of a few within this chapter. The righteous are aware of their own weakness and confess it to God and their community. To pursue what is right, we must know what is wrong and turn from it. Romans 12:9, “…hate what is evil, cling to what is good.”

Ultimately, wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). The Lord is after our hearts. The key verse of this chapter states, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:30) When we pursue Him and His ways and seek Him with all our hearts, then our lives and our actions will begin to reflect who He is calling us to be.