Apply your heart to my knowledge. – Proverbs 22:17
At the end of World War II, human knowledge was doubling every 25 years. Fifty years later, according to the London School of Economics, human knowledge doubled every year. By 2020, they say knowledge is almost doubling every day. Yet the increase in knowledge does not necessarily mean that humans are becoming wiser. In fact, critical thinking is down as people rely more on digitally-provided information and opinions. A recent Stanford University study showed that more than 82 percent of students surveyed could not distinguish between an ad labeled “sponsored content” and a legitimate news story on the internet.
Critical thinking engages the left side of your brain. Creative thinking uses the right side. Most people have one side or the other dominant as they learn, but the two go hand in hand.
Today’s verse from Proverbs asks you to apply your heart to God’s knowledge. That would mean spending more time in His Word, and perhaps with writings from learned theologians, and in-depth talks with others who are pursuing the same goal. Prayer is the key to biblical growth. Don’t skip this step as you begin deeper dives into Scripture. Remember, God wants to transform your heart and mind as you approach the pages of His Word. The goal is to take the information from your head learning, let it filter into your heart and your emotions, and then to act upon the knowledge you have gained.
Pray for those with high positions in government to become more adept at thinking critically, both in life and in respect to their relationship with God.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 22:17
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Deuteronomy 11:18-23
18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. 22 For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, 23 then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
