Have you ever read the Bible or heard a sermon and thought, ‘How do I apply that in my life?’ Sometimes, depending on the Bible translation you are reading, understanding how God’s word applies to our lives today can be confusing. But God does not want us to be confused about how to live our best lives, He tells us step by step how to live successful lives.

The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom, providing insight, knowledge and discernment. Chapter 1, verses 2 through 6 help us understand what the book of Proverbs is even for. The purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help us understand the insights of the wise, how to live disciplined and successful lives, and to help us do what is right, just, and fair.

The Proverbs are for the young, the old, smart people, those who think they are smart and the foolish. If you are thinking, ‘I am already very wise’, then may the wise listen and apply the Proverbs and become even wiser.

The first proverb that we can apply in our lives is Proverbs 1:7, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” We are to fear or honor or revere the Lord, which means we are to respect and obey Him, His word and His Son, Jesus. If we want true knowledge, we must first honor the Lord and do what His word says. If we reject God’s word by denying it is truth or we read it and do not obey it, then we despise discipline, which makes us fools and unable to obtain wisdom. Without wisdom, it is impossible to live a successful life.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the book of wisdom that we have in Proverbs. Lord, help us to apply what we read in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to live disciplined and successful lives. Help us not to be fools but instead help us to embrace Your word. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.