Apply your heart to my knowledge. – Proverbs 22:17
At the end of World War II, human knowledge began to double every 25 years. Fifty years later, according to the London School of Economics, human knowledge doubled every year. By 2020, they said knowledge was almost doubling every day. Now that artificial intelligence is blurring the lines of what constitutes “human knowledge,“ the increase in information does not necessarily mean that humans are becoming wiser. In fact, critical thinking has decreased as people rely on digitally-provided information and opinions. Critical thinking engages the left side of your brain. Creative thinking uses the right side. In the majority of people, one side or the other is dominant, but you need both to apply wisdom.
Today’s verse from Proverbs asks you to apply your heart to God’s knowledge. That means spending significant time in His Word, perhaps reading expositions and commentary from solid theologians, and in-depth discussions with others who are pursuing the same goal. Prayer is a key to biblical growth as you study Scripture more deeply.
Remember, God wants to transform your heart and mind as you internalize and apply His Word. The goal is to take the information you learn with your head, let it filter into your heart and your emotions, and then act upon the knowledge you have gained. Pray for those in the federal government to seek and receive God’s wisdom and increase their critical thinking.
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.
