Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 13:14, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
American Standard Version
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.
World English Bible version
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:14 Meaning & Commentary
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Proverbs 13:14 (ESV)
Wisdom can be explained as the ability or skill to apply understanding effectively. God’s Word is filled with knowledge – about who God is, who we are in Christ and successful living. As we study God’s Word, we fill ourselves with knowledge – however, we need more than just knowledge; we need to move to understanding:
Ephesians 1:8 (KJV) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
As we grow in knowledge and understanding (which comes from God), we can tap into Wisdom. The Bible says that if we ask for Wisdom – God will give it to us: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. There is, however, a “shortcut” to wisdom that we see throughout The Bible – which we see mentioned again in Proverbs 13:14.
The “shortcut” to Wisdom is to surround ourselves with wise people, mentors, or teachers. The wisdom we receive from others allows us to tap into their reservoir of wisdom, which could have taken them years to acquire. By taking heed of what they say or teach, we can save ourselves a lot of pain and headache, as wisdom keeps and guards us: Proverbs 4:5-6 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
By taking heed to what wise people in our lives have to say, as well as seeking God for ourselves and growing in knowledge, understanding, and ultimately wisdom – we will be able to turn away from the snare of death and walk on a secure path.
Application
How can we apply Proverbs 13:14 to our lives?
It has never been easier to tap into Wisdom than it is in these days! We have easier access to The Bible – in both physical and digital formats and access to technology. With technology, we can access the internet and various platforms to learn from great teachers. As Proverbs 13:14 calls it, “the teaching of the wise” is readily available at our fingertips!
If we have personal mentors who help us grow and teach us, that is great. However, if we cannot find personal mentors – we can always get online mentors to challenge and inspire us! As great as teachers and mentors are, they cannot do the work for us. This is one of the biggest challenges we face today – too much knowledge and teaching but not enough action!
Because there is so much access to knowledge, it is easy to get distracted by the allure of “too much.” We need to select only a handful (or fewer) of mentors and teachers and receive from them. We need to choose mentors who have been where we want to go. For example, if we want to be a great evangelist, we should connect to other great evangelists. Or, if we desire to be a great businessman – we should get connected to other great and successful businessmen. By gleaning from their life and teaching, we can learn and avoid some of the “pitfalls” and “snares” they may have encountered.
We always need to prioritize God’s Word in our lives and continually seek after knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. As we do this, we will be able to avoid some harsh lessons on the way and turn away from “the snares of death”!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word, which offers me wisdom and insight. I ask for a greater hunger for Your Word. I ask you today for Knowledge, Understanding, and especially Wisdom. Thank You that you promise to give us Wisdom when we ask for it.
I ask that you bring mentors into my life who can help me reach where you have called me. I pray for discernment to know whom to follow and listen to. I desire to bring glory to you and avoid the snares of death! I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
