I have always been the kind of person who hates secrets and surprises. I want to know what people know, to have all the information laid out in front of me. But over time, I’ve had to learn that just knowing something doesn’t mean I understand it, and having all the facts doesn’t mean I have the wisdom to use them well.
That’s what Proverbs 10 highlights—not just a tension between knowing and not knowing, but between living wisely and merely collecting information.
James 1:5—“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
When we ask for wisdom, He teaches us how to pay attention. And when we start paying attention, we see the difference.
Proverbs 10 draws a sharp contrast between two ways of life: wisdom and righteousness versus foolishness and recklessness. It reminds us that wisdom is not just about what we know but about how we live. Knowledge alone cannot guarantee righteousness, just as owning a compass does not mean a traveler will follow the right path.
Righteousness: Choosing to Walk in Wisdom
Proverbs 10:1-5 emphasizes that righteousness is not accidental. It is an active pursuit, something we practice daily in obedience to God. Scripture calls us to live rightly on purpose, not just to avoid wrongdoing but to actively seek what is good.
This takes me back to the very thing Pastor John said that started my whole journey of this blog, After Pew: Purity is not just about avoidance; purity is your undivided devotion to God.
Solomon’s downfall shows what happens when devotion to God becomes divided. Even unrivaled wisdom crumbles when devotion splits—his heart was tugged away by foreign gods and divided loyalties. He had wisdom, but without a pure and undivided heart, he failed to live it out.
1 Kings 11:11—“So the Lord said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.’”
Solomon was given wisdom beyond measure, yet his own choices led to his kingdom’s downfall. His story warns us that wisdom unpracticed is wisdom wasted. Knowledge of God’s ways is not enough—we must live them out.
This difference between knowing and living out wisdom isn’t just seen in kings—it happens in everyday life too.
I’ve seen the difference between knowledge and wisdom play out in my own home. When my kids were younger, they would repeat things they had heard from me—things that, in principle, I agreed with.
But the moment I heard those words coming from them, it made me cringe. Not because what they said was wrong, but because I knew they didn’t yet understand the full weight of those opinions. They hadn’t considered the other side, the opposing perspective, or the nuance behind what they were saying.
Hearing those words come from someone without that understanding—whether my kids or anyone else—made me realize how easily truth can sound harsh, dismissive, or even hurtful when spoken without wisdom.
Even when I agreed with them, I had to help them temper their words and see things more fully. Knowledge had given them an opinion, but they still had yet to learn the wisdom that would show them how to use it well.
The Weight of Our Words
Proverbs 10:11—“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
Proverbs 10 repeatedly mentions the mouth, lips, and tongue, highlighting that our words carry real weight. They can build up or destroy, bring life or ruin. I once saw a friend’s casual remark—meant as a joke—unravel another friend’s confidence for weeks.
Words, even small ones, wield unseen power. A single sentence can strengthen a person’s resolve or plant the seed of their downfall.
Proverbs 10 underscores why wisdom matters: wisdom listens, prepares for the future, follows instruction, seeks understanding, and ultimately leads to life. Applying wisdom isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you’re tested.
James 1:2-3—“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Trials have a way of revealing whether we are just collecting knowledge or truly living out wisdom. It’s one thing to know what is right, but another to hold to it when things get difficult. Trials test not just our endurance, but the depth of our wisdom. And through those trials, wisdom takes root.
Final Thought:
At the core of wisdom is not just knowing what is right, but committing to living it out, even when it’s difficult. It’s about weighing our words, thinking not just about what we can do but about focusing on what we should do, and making daily choices that build something lasting. Proverbs 10 challenges us to take wisdom seriously, to weigh our words carefully, and to live with purpose.
Righteousness—and true wisdom—starts with Christ, who transforms us from foolish wanderers into children of the King. That’s the heart of Proverbs 10: wisdom rooted in Christ, lived out daily.
How About You?
Who models godly wisdom in your life?
What’s the best piece of wisdom someone has ever given you?
When have you seen knowledge mistaken for wisdom in real life?
Let me know what you think.