What is the meaning of Proverbs 8:14? Counsel “Counsel … is mine.” Wisdom speaks as the personal possession of true guidance. In Scripture, genuine counsel always starts with God Himself—“The counsel of the LORD stands forever” (Psalm 33:11). When Jesus is called “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6), He embodies this very promise of Proverbs 8:14. Because wisdom owns counsel, we can: • go to God first, not last, for direction (James 1:5); • trust that His plans will prevail even when ours shift (Proverbs 19:21). Receiving counsel from Wisdom keeps our choices rooted in eternal certainty instead of momentary opinion. Sound judgment “… and sound judgment are mine.” Sound judgment, or discretion, guards us from impulsive or deceptive paths. Proverbs 2:7 affirms that God “stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” Notice the protective tone: judgment keeps us safe. Jesus commends the same quality when He urges believers to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Wisdom’s judgment: • tests every idea against the clear teaching of Scripture (Acts 17:11); • exposes counterfeit wisdom that contradicts God’s character (1 John 4:1). Because judgment belongs to Wisdom, we never have to guess what is right; we measure by God’s revealed standard. Insight “I have insight …” Insight lets us see beneath appearances to God’s purpose. Solomon prayed for an “understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:9) and was granted the very insight Wisdom claims here. Paul prayed similarly that believers might know “the riches of the glory of His inheritance” (Ephesians 1:17-18). Insight— • connects truth to real-life situations so we apply rather than merely admire it (Proverbs 2:10-11); • lights the path ahead, because “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Wisdom doesn’t just inform; it illumines. Strength “… and strength.” Wisdom is not ivory-tower theory; it supplies power to live out what we know. Isaiah 40:29 promises, “He gives power to the faint.” Paul echoes, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Strength from Wisdom— • enables obedience when culture pushes the other way (Joshua 1:9); • fuels endurance so we finish well (Hebrews 12:1-2); • partners with counsel, judgment, and insight so truth becomes action (Proverbs 24:5). Wisdom equips both the mind and the muscles of faith. summary Proverbs 8:14 pictures Wisdom as a full toolkit: counsel to guide, sound judgment to discern, insight to perceive, and strength to perform. Because these qualities belong to Wisdom—and Wisdom flows from God—believers who cling to His Word receive everything needed for clear thinking and courageous living. |
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