Blog - Proverbs 3:23

If you like this blog, then you will like Get Wisdom, Get Understanding which is Pastor Wagner's commentary series on the book of Proverbs which is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. Find out more here. For all the blogs in this series, click here: Proverbs Commentary. Proverbs 3:23 "Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble." (Pro 3:23)

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The desire to feel safe and secure is a basic human need. Solomon in this verse shows us that wisdom and discretion (Pro 3:21) are two of the key ingredients necessary for a safe and steady walk through this life. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely. Keeping wisdom and understanding (Pro 3:13) and discretion (Pro 3:21) continually before our eyes will keep us safe in our Christian walk. In the literal sense of the word, to walk is "to journey, move about, esp. on foot" (OED). In a figurative and religious sense, to walk is "to conduct oneself, behave (ill or well, wisely or unwisely). Sometimes with reference to a metaphorical ‘path’ or ‘way’" (OED). In either sense, whether we literally hike on a footpath, or journey through life trying to stay on the strait and narrow way, we will walk safely when guided by wisdom. To walk safely is to do so "in a safe manner; without harm or injury occasioned or received" (OED). Wisdom will conduct us safely through life by guiding us and teaching us to steer clear of dangerous situations and people.

Pro 2:10-20 - When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

After we are converted from our former life of sin, we should have the wisdom to not walk in the old, dangerous paths full of potholes and pitfalls that we used to.

Eph 4:17-24 - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 1Pe 4:3-4 - For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

And thy foot shall not stumble. When we walk in wisdom, we will not stumble which is "to miss one's footing, or trip over an obstacle, in walking or running, so as to fall or be in danger of falling" (OED). In other words, wisdom keeps us from falling. When we are walking in wisdom, we are walking in the light of the Lord instead of the darkness of the devil.

1Jn 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Eph 5:8 - For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Eph 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

As long as we continue to use the word of God as a light for our path we will not stumble in the darkness and fall into sin.

Pro 6:23 - For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: Pro 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.