Proverbs 15:20-33 | A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
A few years ago, I brought a group of young people on a mission trip. As we neared our departure date, the most frequently asked question was, “Is there Wi-Fi?” So just imagine the wails and groans one night when the Wi-Fi was down! Many of us become anxious when we’re separated from our smartphones. And when we have our iPhones or Androids in our hands, we can be fixated on our screens.
Like all good things common to man, Wi-Fi and all that it allows us to access can become either a distraction or a blessing. It depends on what we do with it. In Proverbs we read, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (15:14). In our daily food choices, a healthy diet takes discipline and may not be as sweet or as enticing as junk food. So it’s also important that we take care in what we feed on as we browse the web.
What might that look like? It can be as simple as reviewing who you follow on Instagram. Do the things they post bring “joy to those with no sense” or encourage sensible living? (v.21). Do your Facebook posts or Snapchat messages reflect “the heart of the godly [who think] carefully before speaking” or the “mouth of the wicked [that] overflows with evil words”? (v.28).
The words of Proverbs 15:14 make it plain: We are what we eat . . . and what we do and view online. Feed on wisdom, and you’re more likely to become wise. Feed on trash, and you’re headed for trouble.
As we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, we can fill our minds and mobile device screens with things that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” (Philippians 4:8). By God’s wisdom, we can make good choices online and in all of life. —Poh Fang Chia
MORE: Read 1 Corinthians 10:23 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 and consider the wise counsel they provide for what we do and say online.
NEXT: Do your social media habits reveal a person who hungers for knowledge or feeds on trash? What are some ways to use social media wisely—to honor God?