Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

When we begin to read through Proverbs 23, it can feel like we’re being hit with a long list of “don’ts.” Don’t envy. Don’t overeat. Don’t drink too much. Don’t chase after riches.

If I had to guess, most of you reading this don’t really enjoy being told what to do. You may even view it as a loss of freedom or a source of restriction. But Scripture has never been about controlling us. It’s about guiding us. Good parents give their children boundaries in order to guide them into a life that is happy, safe, and good. The Lord, as a good father, does the same for us. His ways demonstrate what leads to life, and what slowly pulls us away from it.

Solomon’s words encourage us to pause and reflect on where our hearts are headed. In this chapter, he warns about the dangers of excess and of listening to false voices that promise quick success or easy happiness. This chapter is a call to live intentionally, to choose the right path even when the wrong one looks tempting or easier.

But this is not necessarily a passage about alcohol, money, or gluttony. It is not meant for us to find a standard “healthy limit” to adhere to. It is a reminder to look within ourselves and be very honest and clear about what we allow to hold our attention and take up space in our hearts. It calls us to reflect on what we put our value or our worth in. If we are constantly looking for the boundary or the limit of how much is acceptable, we miss the mark entirely. It’s not about how much we can get away with and still be a follower of Christ. It's about pouring ourselves into the things that we are called to, so much so that those other things just don’t seem to matter as much.

Solomon’s words challenge us to stop and ask:

• What am I treasuring most?
• What’s taking up space in my heart?

Because what we allow in will eventually shape what flows out. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

If we’re filling our hearts with God’s wisdom and truth, our lives will begin to reflect peace, purpose, and joy—not because we’re following rules out of obligation, but because we’re living with intention and love.

Here are a few practical ways to begin putting this into practice this week:

1. Be mindful of what you feed your heart.

Ask yourself: What am I consuming each day (social media, entertainment, conversations)? Are these things helping me grow in wisdom or slowly pulling me away from it?

2. Practice self-control.

Enjoy the good things in life, but don’t let them control you. Seek balance. Glorify the Lord with what you consume, how you spend your time and money, and how you show up in your relationships. Practice saying “no” to excess so you can say “yes” to what really matters.

3. Seek God’s wisdom daily.

God doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. Ask Him to guide your heart. Pray for clarity, courage, and strength to walk in the ways He’s calling you to.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction. So, where is your heart headed today?

Let’s commit to guarding it well, pouring it into the things that bring life, and trusting God to shape us into people of wisdom.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.