The heart and the mouth are more connected than we might realize. Proverbs 13 continues to encourage walking Wisdom’s Pathway through carefully guarding what we say. What we say is connected with our heart’s desires.

The pursuit of wisdom is more of a marathon than a sprint and takes an entire lifetime! Pursuing wisdom takes discipline. Proverbs 12 begins with this word for us, Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid

The whole Proverbs put our attention on eternal realities. We have more to live for than what we see. Verse 31 puts the matter on an eternal perspective and is quoted by Peter in his first epistle. The point, there is a final day awaiting everyone.

Much like a highway that we travel down with different destinations, the experiences of living come successively at different moments. In each circumstance, we have the Wisdom of God revealed through these Proverbs to keep us on the wise and narrow way.

The wise man is dedicated to continual progression in wisdom. If wisdom is a roadway, the wise man desires to continually travel down it. The wise person is not content camping on wisdom’s way. The posture of the heart of the wise is a posture of continual consideration for working wisdom in their life. Interestingly, the way the wise learn is through correction. Wisdom requires humility.

Wisdom is in plain sight and can be heard. Whether or not she will be listened to is another story. Wisdom’s way might be the most visible, but often, her path is the least traveled. This is why she puts her appeal in these terms, verse 5, O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools learn sense.

We are continuing the warning against sexual immorality through considering this Proverb. Our age is considered rampant with immorality, but the Proverbs demonstrates that the clarion call to flee sexual temptation is applicable at any age. The admonition is to store up the sayings of the wise father and live. The wise sayings of the father are to be closely guarded like a treasure.

Mom joins Dad in the instruction to their child. Mom and Dad together show the biblical paradigm and the importance of heterosexual, monogamous, marital, fidelity. Mom and Dad, as husband and wife, are together parenting. Their togetherness is an example of what the child should want and to not pursue the destructive immorality of adultery

After such considerable words are expressed towards the intoxicating love of a man and woman, the Proverbs put a question before us, Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? (v.20) The question makes the most sense after considering the woes engaging with a forbidden woman brings and the joys of your own wife.

The ground of Wisdom’s Way is paved with the fear of the Lord. Verse 12, when you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run you will not stumble. Pursuing wisdom is a matter of life and death. I wonder if we approach the pursuit of wisdom that seriously? Verse 13, Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her for she is your life. In contrast with the way of the fool, verses 18-19, But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

The heart of a worshipper is developed as they learn to trust in the Lord. Trusting the Lord is the only way to walk the pathway of wisdom laid out in the Proverbs. Leaning not unto our own understandings means listening to what God says and placing value in what he says even more than what we think or see.

The path of wisdom is a straight and narrow path. Few find this path, but those who do enjoy the pleasure of eternal life with God. The one who calls us to walk this path has come and walked the path for us. Jesus calls us to follow him. As we follow him we are assured of where he leads. Jesus leads us safely to enter the courts of the eternal city of God. In that city, no evil thing will ever enter in.

To consider God’s desire for you, to contemplate God’s love for you, is enough to blow the brightest and most contemplative thinker. God loves you! God desires you and will stop at nothing until he makes you his very own. The truth of God’s love for you makes everything else you could consider fall into place. Even though the depths of God’s love is incomprehensible, the fact that we know eternal, almighty God loves is enough for me.

The church is left here, for now, to offer society infinite joy, to open the imaginations of those who didn’t even know there was something better to be imagined, something greater to hope for, someone who loves with infinite passion.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most revolutionary message the world can hear today. The gospel brings hope and healing. Anything else attempts to bring hope and healing but is forever failing. Christ came to turn the world upside down; to repair what was broken by means of redemption; to make all things new. His chief weapon – love. His main objective -  to form a new humanity who worships and obeys – who delights in the Lord and walks with him. 

Jesus took we who were bound and broke us free enabling obedience from disobedience ones. Jesus took blinded eyes and caused them to see; deaf ears began to hear, and dead ones started living. This came about as the Beloved Son subjected himself to slavery, perfect took on imperfection, the righteous one became unrighteous so that we who were unclean could be clean. Sinners can now be saints. Slaves can now be sons. All because of God’s beloved Son.