Proverbs 17:22 – Verse of the Day 9/5/14

Doctors will tell you that there is a relationship between the mind and the body. They will sometimes speak of a “will to live” that is the difference between life and death for a sick patient. This awareness is just a small window into the wider view of the Bible: our soul, minds, and bodies are all part of who we are. Why does that matter?

The section of the proverbs from which this verse is taken helps us to see why it matters. This proverb is part of a large section of the book that identifies foolishness in order to contrast it with true wisdom. The consequences of foolishness are quite serious, and there are even physical consequences. The previous verse states that a father of a fool will not find joy, and here we find that foolishness leads to a crushed spirit. On the other hand, wisdom leads to a joyful heart and a healthy life. Wisdom is not only a matter of the mind, but of the soul and the body as well.

Spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord to make you wise. Pray that you would seek the Lord first and foremost, and that you would love Him with all your heart, mind and soul. Thank God for the benefits, both physical and spiritual, that come through faith and the wisdom that flows from faith.