Proverbs 23:23 states, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”

Oftentimes, we only quote the first half of that verse – when it is important for us to recall that truth by itself cannot save us. Jesus said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Knowing the truth makes the difference.

How many people attend church services hearing truth, but never knowing the truth – let alone, being wise in life decisions, instructed in God’s ways, and understanding who He is? This is exactly what Proverbs 23:23 is talking about. It is not enough to “buy the truth,” it is the will of God for us to buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

What does buying speak of? It speaks of something having such a value, that if you were to possess it, it would cost you greatly. When the Scriptures call for us to buy the truth, it must mean it costs something, much like wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

We are admonished to possess truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. There is a personal price we must pay to have it. We cannot truly take part in any of these based on the commitments of someone else. We must put forth our own commitments. Furthermore, the exact price that every child of God pays to possess truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding, will vary.

What is costly to me, may not amount to you. One person may be called to dedicate themselves to Sunday school children, while another may be called to dedicate themselves to a campus ministry. Each of those comes with a personal price of commitment to God, but it will have different connotations from person to person. This is one of the many beautiful things about serving the Lord and being a part of the Church. Everyone has a unique story to contribute: a story of personal restoration, growth, and triumph. Everyone pays a unique price where they lay before the Lord their personal desires, battles, and weaknesses.

Many of us don’t realize that Jesus paid a real price to carry His cross.

And we will, too.

No believer is exempt from denying himself, bearing his own cross, and following Jesus. We hear the call that the disciples answered when they heard of following Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ, and so are wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Paying the price to possess truth is found amongst the hours and hours of studying the Bible that help you to know who God is and how He has fully revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. There are many resources in our day that we can use to study the truth of God’s Word.

• Bible Encyclopedias
• Bible Dictionaries
• Bible Maps
• Lexicons and much more

We spend time on so many other things, yet God is calling us to buy the Truth in all of it.

So often, people do not listen to the wisdom and guidance of an experienced person and make such terrible mistakes, they pay a personal price of sorrow and loss. Wisdom is paid for by having a personal experience with the Lord Jesus Christ Who is our source of strength and stability. We do not trust in the flesh and must have the supernatural wisdom of God governing our life decisions.

Moreover, we must also pay a price to own instruction. Instruction is about continuously being a student of the Holy Spirit. God is wanting to teach us every day about what it means to have a relationship with Him. God is wanting to teach us about the gifts of the Spirit and how to bear the fruit of His Spirit. When we have the attitude of a student at all times, we will remain humble and refrain from acting like we’ve “arrived.”

Lastly, we must pay the price to have understanding. Understanding is when we have comprehension of what God has taught us. It also means that we are equipped to communicate the other four elements that we have bought. When we understand, we can communicate the truth to others, the wisdom of God, and the instruction of His Spirit.

These are the wonderful works of God that He wants to perform in our lives. Yet, let us remember that in order to possess these works, we must not only buy the truth and sell it not, but also, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Hector Robles hosts a podcast and bible study channel by the name of Sparrow.Podcast. On a weekly basis, you can find new content regarding the Bible and ministry. He lives and works as an engineer in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Savannah and they gladly serve at Calvary Apostolic Church.

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