Not All Information Leads to Knowledge

Proverbs 15:14:

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Although I believe the internet has mostly been a boon to learning, there is a legitimate concern that it has become more difficult to discern unbias information. This has been a problem since at least the time of Proverbs. The Bible is clear that gaining a better understanding of the yourself, God, and the world is a worthwhile task. However, what this verse reveals is that the act of learning is not the same as learning. The wise seek wisdom. The "scoffers" are unable to hear wisdom. We are always learning, it's important to stay on guard that we are finding truth and not just confirming our own lies.

Don't Put on a Happy Face, Have One

Proverbs 15:13:

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

No surprise that the way we feel on the inside reflects on how look on the outside. If smiles make others feel better, then our internal satisfaction influences others. However, this heart satisfaction isn't in the context of material goods or even social human relationships. The previous verses were on discipline. The post before that was on being one of God's people. Before that it was on producing knowledge. Perhaps it is these things that should make our heart glad, so our face will automatically reflect that.

A Good Son Knows Father Knows Best

Proverbs 15:10-12:

10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Proverbs has said plenty of times that a huge part of wisdom is having the humility to be corrected. However, these 3 verses reveal a greater truth. We should desire good discipline and God knows all, even the realms not often associated with him. Sheol, Old Testament hell, and Abaddon, destruction, are seen as clearly by God as our hearts. He knows what rebuke we need and scoffers, know-it-alls, do not like that correction. They will not seek out wise counsel because they don't know how little they know compared to the Lord.

God Has a Posse

Proverbs 15:8-9:

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

This idea is startling. The sacrifice of those without God is not desirable. Here's the more famous version:

1 Corinthians 13: 1-313
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

Challenging words for secular kindness.

The Wise Produce Knowledge

Proverbs 15:7:

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

We already know that the wise produce wisdom, but they also produce knowledge. Knowledge, not wisdom, is some kind of head content that can help give some parameters for wisdom. Those who have wisdom spread knowledge. Those who don't don't. It's why being aware of who is influencing and choosing good influence is so important.

Real Wealth for the Righteous

Proverbs 15:6:

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Practically speaking, following God's instruction is financially beneficial. This makes sense in a cooperative society that those who follow God's law, will prosper. But it's interesting that the rewards for the righteous are not income, but treasure. Seems to imply non-material gains (family, nation, health, knowledge, wisdom).