Proverbs 14:1

The wise woman builds her house, 
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Proverbs 14:1

I was having my quiet time this morning (the first in many days, sadly.) and I realized that there is so much wisdom can be learned from this verse! Not only do we have the capability to tear down the homes we share with our parents, siblings, and other people in our life, but we can also be simultaneously tearing down the home we will one day share with our husbands and children (Lord willing, of course.)

We can tear our houses down quickly and easily. One that comes to mind is by our speech. When we grumble, complain, slander, gossip, hurt, lie, falsely accuse, unrighteously argue, or use language that does not honor God, we are tearing our house down. We can also fail to be faithful in our promises, avoid housework, and not spend time with God.

However, we can build our houses up just as quickly and easily. We can love (See 1 Corinthians 13 for a complete list on how to show love), bless others, serve others, obey our parents, be joyful in all circumstances, practice humility, spending time with God, doing our chores and housework, and worshipping God. However, this list is unlimited! Just open God’s Word and you will find that there are endless ways to build up our homes for the glory of God.

This was convicting for me, as just minutes before had my mother asked me to put a huge stack of dishes in the dishwasher and hand clean some as well. Usually, we do not have so many dishes to do at one time. But alas, I became very lazy this weekend and am determined to start off this week right. So I decided to spend time in the Word to get my heart right. Immediately was I convicted as I began to read today’s verses (I studied Proverbs 14:1-3).

As you go about your day today, remember to build up your house, not tear it down.

Bethany

Tags: blessing others, godliness, preparing for our future homes, proverbs 14:1, speech, tearing down our homes, the wise woman builds up her house but the foolish woma