Start 2025 with 31 Days of Wisdom from Proverbs —a daily devotional journey through the Book of Proverbs!

Beginning Wednesday, January 1, we’ll read one chapter of Proverbs daily. Whether you’re new to Bible reading or want to enrich your routine, this devotional is for YOU!

How to join:

• Read the chapter of Proverbs for the day.

• Follow along with reflections and prompts we’ll share here daily.

• Share your favorite verse or insight using #WisdomInProverbs2025 to inspire others!

Let’s seek God’s wisdom together and kick-start the new year with His Word as our guide. 🙏

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7

Daily Devotions

S – Scripture (Anchors the devotional in God’s Word.) 

Proverbs 1 

I - In Focus (Highlights the central thought for meditation.) 

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair...” 

— Proverbs 1:1-3 (NIV) 

T – Theme (Presents the main takeaway.) 

Purpose: Everything has a purpose. 

The purpose of Proverbs is to guide us toward wisdom, discipline, and understanding—all rooted in God. 

D – Devotional (Unpacks the message with insights and relevance.) 

Every single word in the Bible is intentional. God doesn’t waste words, and Proverbs 1 makes that clear from the start. Solomon, the author of Proverbs, tells us why he wrote this book: to give us wisdom and practical tools to live a life that pleases God. It’s like a map for the journey of life, and each Proverb is a signpost guiding us in the right direction.   

But Proverbs isn’t just about head knowledge—it’s about living a life of purpose. Verses 2 and 3 explain that wisdom isn’t just knowing what’s right; it’s about doing what’s right, living with integrity, and treating others fairly. In verse 7, Solomon says something even more foundational: true wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. That means recognizing who God is, standing in awe of Him, and letting that reverence shape every part of your life.   

Without God, Proverbs would be a collection of clever sayings, like quotes from a motivational speaker. But God didn’t send Jesus so we could just clean up our behavior or look wise in front of others. He came to transform our hearts. When we fear the Lord, we’re not just seeking behavior modification; we’re seeking heart transformation. That’s the real purpose of Proverbs: to align your heart with God’s.   

So as you sit with Proverbs today, let God’s purpose for this book—and for your life—sink in. Stay focused on Him, and let Him use these words to shape your heart and guide your steps. 

O - Own It (Invites personal application and reflection.) 

Which Proverb from today’s passage grabbed your attention the most? Write it down, memorize it, and revisit it throughout your day. What is God teaching you through it?   

W - Worship through Prayer (Offers a heartfelt response to God.) 

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word and the wisdom You give through Proverbs. Help me to stay focused on You today and to live out the purpose You have for me. Transform my heart and guide my steps. Amen.   

N - Next Steps (Provides practical ways to live out the message.) 

Keep your chosen Proverb close today—whether by writing it on a sticky note, setting it as your phone background, or reciting it during quiet moments. Let it remind you to stay focused on God as you go about your day.   

S - Scripture 

Proverbs 2 

I - In Focus 

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” 

— Proverbs 2:1–5 (NLT)   

T - Theme 

Please Listen   

Listening to God opens the door to understanding and knowing Him.   

D - Devotional 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who wasn’t really listening? Maybe they were nodding along while scrolling through their phone or mentally crafting their response instead of hearing your words. It’s frustrating, isn’t it?   

In Proverbs 2, Solomon pleads with us to really listen—not with half-hearted ears, but with full attention. The words he uses, like “tune,” “cry out,” and “search,” all speak to the effort it takes to listen well. This isn’t passive listening; it’s an active pursuit of wisdom, like searching for buried treasure.   

Vernon McLellan once said, “God still speaks to those who take time to listen.” That’s a comforting thought, but it’s also a challenge. How often do we truly take time to sit quietly before God, to focus on His Word, and to ask Him to guide us? Proverbs 2 promises that when we listen this way, we’ll discover two priceless treasures: the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God.   

Listening to God doesn’t mean we’ll hear an audible voice booming from the sky. It often means spending time in Scripture, praying with expectation, and being silent enough to sense His guidance in our hearts. Just like Stephen Covey’s advice to “seek first to understand, then to be understood,” let’s approach God with the desire to understand what He’s teaching us. When we do, our hearts align with His, and His wisdom becomes ours.   

So today, take time to listen. Treasure God’s commands, cry out for insight, and tune your ears to wisdom. You may be surprised by what He reveals. 

O - Own It 

Are you struggling to hear God’s voice? Remember, He still speaks to those who listen. Spend time today tuning your heart to Him.   

W - Worship through Prayer 

Lord, help me to quiet my heart and listen to You. Teach me Your wisdom, and guide me to understand Your ways.   

N - Next Steps 

Before or after you pray today, take a moment to sit in silence and listen for God’s voice. Write down anything He places on your heart.   

S - Scripture 

Proverbs 3 

I - In Focus 

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." 

— Proverbs 3:7 (NASB 2020)   

T - Theme 

Pay attention when God says, “Do not.”   

D - Devotional 

Let’s be honest—how do you react when someone tells you, “Do not...”? Maybe you’re tempted to push back and do the opposite just to prove you can. But when God speaks a “Do not” in His Word, it’s not about control—it’s about protecting us and guiding us toward His best for our lives.   

Proverbs 3 is packed with “Do not” instructions—eleven in total! Each one is an invitation to live wisely and walk closely with God. Here are a few examples:   

- “Do not forget my teaching, but have your heart comply with my commandments” (Proverbs 3:1). God’s Word isn’t just something to memorize; it’s something to treasure in our hearts and live out daily.   

- “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). When we think we’ve got it all figured out, pride sneaks in. Trusting God and leaning on His wisdom keeps us on the right path.    

- “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it” (Proverbs 3:27). This one hits close to home. If you can do good for someone today, don’t wait until tomorrow—do it now!   

The repetition of “Do not” in this chapter is like a loving parent pleading with a child to listen: Please pay attention. What I’m telling you is for your good.* God’s boundaries and commands aren’t there to restrict us but to help us live lives that honor Him and bless others.   

So the next time you read a “Do not” in Scripture, don’t brush it off. Instead, lean in and ask, “Lord, what are You trying to teach me through this?” You might just discover the wisdom you’ve been searching for. 

O - Own It 

Are you willing to listen when God gives you instructions? Take a moment to reflect on the “Do not” commands in Proverbs 3. Which one speaks to you the most today?   

W - Worship through Prayer 

Lord, thank You for Your loving instructions in Proverbs. Help me to listen closely, trust Your wisdom, and follow Your ways. Keep my heart soft and ready to obey.   

N - Next Steps 

Stay sensitive to God’s voice by staying in His Word. Make it a goal to read Proverbs 3 today and write down one “Do not” instruction to focus on and follow.   

S - Scripture anchors the devotional in God’s Word. 

Proverbs 4 

I - In Focus highlights the central thought for meditation. 

Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” 

T - Theme presents the main takeaway. 

The Heart 

D - Devotional unpacks the message with insights and relevance. 

Have you ever stopped to think about your ribs? They’re more than just bones—they’re a shield. These 12 pairs of bones form a protective cage around some of your most vital organs, like your heart and lungs, keeping them safe from harm. But the ribcage doesn’t just protect—it supports breathing, posture, and movement. 

In the same way, Proverbs 4:23 urges us to guard our hearts: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The Bible uses “heart” to describe more than just feelings—it’s the center of our thoughts, desires, and decisions. And just as our ribcage shields the heart physically, God calls us to protect our hearts spiritually. 

Here’s the truth: What goes into your heart will eventually shape what comes out. Garbage in, garbage out. If we allow negativity, temptation, or worldly influences to take root, they’ll begin to show up in our words, actions, and choices. 

So, how do we guard our hearts? By filling them with God’s truth. His Word acts like a filter, helping us sort out what should stay and what needs to go. When we stay rooted in Scripture, we allow God to shape our thoughts, desires, and actions for His glory. 

O - Own It invites personal application and reflection. 

Take a moment to reflect: What’s been influencing your heart lately? Are there habits, relationships, or media choices that are leading you closer to God—or pulling you away? How can you guard the springs of your life today? 

W - Worship through Prayer offers a heartfelt response to God. 

Lord, thank You for Your Word, which protects and shapes my heart. Help me to guard my heart with Your truth and to filter out anything that leads me away from You. Amen. 

N - Next Steps provides practical ways to live out the message. 

This day/week/month, evaluate your influences. Identify one habit, show, or relationship to adjust and one godly influence to lean into—like spending more time in prayer or Scripture. 

S - Scripture anchors the devotional in God’s Word. 

Proverbs 5 

I - In Focus highlights the central thought for meditation. 

“My child, be attentive to my wisdom, pay close attention to my understanding.” (Proverbs 5:1, NET) 

T - Theme presents the main takeaway. 

Disengaging Autopilot 

D - Devotional unpacks the message with insights and relevance. 

Have you ever heard about Tesla’s Autopilot system? It’s a pretty amazing piece of technology—using cameras and sensors, it can keep the car in its lane, adjust speed, and even steer. But here’s the catch: Tesla warns drivers to stay alert and ready to take over at any moment. Why? Because Autopilot isn’t perfect, and if you rely on it completely, you might end up in trouble. 

Now, think about life for a second. How often do we live on autopilot? We go through the motions—wake up, work, eat, sleep—without paying much attention to where we’re going or how we’re getting there. Proverbs 5:1 speaks directly to this: “My child, be attentive to my wisdom, pay close attention to my understanding.” 

God’s wisdom is like a loving parent calling out, “Wake up! Pay attention!” When we disengage spiritually and stop listening to wisdom, we can find ourselves drifting toward trouble. Our brains naturally seek efficiency, building habits to get through the day. But not every habit is a good one, and some lead us far from God’s path. 

Today, let’s be intentional about pressing pause on autopilot. Let’s stay alert to God’s voice through His Word and through the people He’s placed in our lives. 

O - Own It invites personal application and reflection. 

Take a moment to ask yourself: Am I truly paying attention to the wisdom God is trying to speak into my life? Are there areas where I’ve been coasting instead of staying engaged with Him? 

W - Worship through Prayer offers a heartfelt response to God. 

Lord, help me to stay awake to Your wisdom today. Teach me to listen and be attentive so that I can follow You more closely. Help me focus on Jesus in everything I do. Amen. 

N - Next Steps provides practical ways to live out the message. 

This week, reflect on how you respond to wisdom in your life. Are you open to godly advice, or have you been resisting it? Ask someone you trust to share truth with you in love—and make it a point to listen with an open heart. 

S - Scripture anchors the devotional in God’s Word. 

Proverbs 6 

I - In Focus highlights the central thought for meditation. 

“A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.” (Proverbs 6:12–15, ESV) 

T - Theme presents the main takeaway. 

Character 

D - Devotional unpacks the message with insights and relevance. 

What comes to mind when you think about character? Maybe it’s integrity, kindness, or how consistent someone’s actions are with their beliefs. At its core, character is about the moral and ethical qualities that define who we are and how we interact with others. 

Strong character doesn’t just happen—it’s built over time. And the foundation? It’s Christ. When we focus on Him, He shapes our integrity, values, and behavior. 

Proverbs 6:12-15 paints a vivid picture of someone with poor character. Their crooked speech, deceptive actions, and constant stirring of trouble reveal a heart that’s far from God. What’s the outcome? Calamity strikes suddenly. It’s a sobering reminder of how our character—or lack of it—can determine the course of our lives. 

But here’s the good news: when we fix our eyes on Jesus, He transforms our hearts and makes our character strong and steadfast. A Christ-centered character doesn’t just impact us—it influences how we treat others, handle challenges, and make decisions. It becomes a witness to the world of God’s power in our lives. 

So, how’s your character today? Is it rooted in Christ, or are there areas that need His refining touch? Let’s invite Him to shape us into people of integrity who reflect His love in everything we do. 

O - Own It invites personal application and reflection. 

Christ builds character. Take a moment to reflect: Is your character solid, or are there cracks that need Jesus’ attention? What’s one way you can focus on Him today? 

W - Worship Through Prayer offers a heartfelt response to God. 

Lord, thank You for being the foundation of true character. Help me to keep my focus on Jesus so that my thoughts, words, and actions reflect Your love and truth. Shape me into the person You’ve called me to be. Amen. 

N - Next Steps provides practical ways to live out the message. 

Take one practical step to focus on Jesus today—whether it’s through prayer, reading Scripture, or showing kindness to someone in need. Let Christ strengthen your character as you seek Him first. 

S - Scripture anchors the devotional in God’s Word: 

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you…to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.” (Proverbs 7:1, 5, ESV) 

I - In Focus highlights the central thought for meditation: 

Distractions can detour us from God’s path. 

T - Theme presents the main takeaway: 

Distracted Driving: A Dangerous Detour 

D - Devotional unpacks the message with insights and relevance: 

We all know how dangerous it is to text and drive. Taking your eyes off the road, even for a moment, can lead to disaster. Life is no different—distractions can pull us off course in ways that are just as devastating. 

Proverbs 7 paints a vivid picture of a “forbidden woman” whose enticing words and actions lead to ruin. While this passage refers to an adulteress, the principle applies to any distraction that takes our focus off God’s plan. It might be binge-watching TV, endless scrolling on social media, or even relationships that don’t honor God.  

At first, these distractions seem harmless, maybe even fun. But they often lead to regret, wasted time, and missed opportunities to walk closely with Jesus. 

Just like a driver must stay alert and focused to avoid accidents, we must guard our hearts and minds against anything that threatens to pull us away from God’s purpose. 

O - Own It invites personal application and reflection: 

What are the distractions in your life? Are they keeping you from being fully present with God? 

W - Worship through Prayer offers a heartfelt response to God: 

Lord, help me stay focused on Your path. Protect me from distractions that lead me away from You. Amen. 

N - Next Steps provides practical ways to live out the message: 

Identify one distraction that often derails you. Whether it’s an app, a habit, or a mindset, take steps today to limit its influence. Replace that time or energy with something that draws you closer to God—like prayer, reading His Word, or encouraging someone.