LifeLink Devotions
Friday, September 10, 2021
So far this week we have discovered that the pursuit of wisdom must transcend all other pursuits in life, and that we must embrace wisdom being transmitted to us by becoming good listeners.
For today, let’s look at Proverbs 22:18, which says, “for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart.” The “them” of this verse are the truths of wisdom, and the principle we want to look at today is this – Let wisdom transform your heart.
There is an eternally significant difference between listening with your head and listening with your heart. Listening with your head is to simply have knowledge of a subject, but listening with your heart allows the knowledge to transform your will which manifests itself in a change of nature, attitude, and action. The difference between those two types of listening is the difference between eternal death and eternal life. We are not saved by our knowledge, we are saved by our faith, and faith is an act of the will – the heart – not the head.
Solomon refers to the heart sixty-nine times in Proverbs, and challenges us to listen to wisdom with our hearts so that we are transformed from the inside out. Here are a couple of examples:
Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Notice the transcending value of wisdom in this passage, and the desire for the transmission of wisdom. Also notice that understanding and knowledge are the product of a transformed heart. Faith facilitates the transformation of our heart as wisdom takes effect.
Proverbs 3:1-6 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
In addition to stating the benefits of letting wisdom transform your heart, this passage gives us 3 things with which to measure the progress of the transformation that is to be taking place in our lives. They are:
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart
- Lean not on your own understanding
- In all your ways acknowledge Him
Think about those three things today and evaluate the progress of your spiritual transformation. Ask yourself these questions:
- Is my trust in God sufficient for every area of my life, or are there parts of my life where I must have God plus something else? God plus money? God plus possessions? God plus family and friends? God plus position and power? You get the point.
- Is my faith in God’s wisdom sufficient for every decision I must make, or do I need to see the end before I can take the first step? Am I limiting God’s work in my life by needing to see the results and figure out the process in my limited understanding?
- Is it my desire to see the glory of God in all areas of my life, or are there areas where I need to be acknowledged? Is my motivation for any area of my life to bring honor to myself?
Friends, evaluate these things carefully and prayerfully, and let wisdom transform your heart.
Pastor John
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