Attend, Bow, and Speak Life
- caroline borishade
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
Welcome to Day 5 of our 30 Days of Wisdom journey! Today, I want to reflect on Proverbs 5:1-2:
“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thy ear to my understanding, that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.”
These verses open with a loving, urgent invitation: “My son, attend unto my wisdom.” The word attend is more than just hearing; it means leaning in fully, holding onto every word as if your life depended on it. Imagine a child knowing their parent is about to share something precious, life-shaping. That’s how God calls us to listen to Him.
Next, we are told to “bow thy ear to my understanding.” Bowing our ear is a picture of humility. It’s not casual listening, it’s surrendering pride, silencing competing voices in our minds, and tuning our hearts to God’s voice. Think of it like changing a radio station: we stop the static of fear, past mistakes, and culture, so we can hear God’s clear signal.
What happens when we do this?
Verse 2 says: “that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.”
• Discretion: Wisdom begins to guide our choices, knowing when to act, when to wait, when to release, and when to hold on. Spirit-led decisions protect us from pitfalls and derailment.
• Knowledge in our lips: God’s wisdom flows outward. Our words have power—they can heal, encourage, and build, or they can hurt and destroy. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. When we receive God’s wisdom, our words carry life to everyone around us.
Wisdom doesn’t just make us smarter; it makes us stronger, steadier, and sweeter. Proverbs 3 reminds us that wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing we desire compares with it. And the best part? We don’t have to earn it. James 1:5 assures us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.”
Today, whatever you face, big decisions, small decisions, heavy questions, or daily challenges, God’s wisdom is ready for you. Lean in. Bow your ear. Open your heart, mind, and hands, and receive it. Your life will gain clarity, and your words will become a blessing to everyone around you.
A thought to carry today:
When you give God your ear, He will guide your steps and season your words with life.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for loving us enough to call us close and share Your wisdom. Teach us to attend to Your voice above the noise of this world. Help us bow our ears in humility so that discretion guards our steps and our words bring life. Let our speech carry encouragement, truth, and hope to those who hear us. Today, we open our hearts and ask for Your wisdom, pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As Reflected by Pastor Kim
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