Days 22&23, Proverbs 10-31: What is in our heart, our words, and our actions?

Wisdom or foolishness? - Specifically, God's wisdom vs. anything else?
How do we decide? How is it shown? How is it different from other wisdom? Does it apply everywhere?
Many questions come out Proverbs. Reading verses in isolation they seem to be pithy statements that are nice ideals, but sometimes impractical or old fashioned. Read as a whole and in the context of the rest of Scripture, we see them as a reflection of God's advice on how to live in obedience to Who He is, living in relationship with Him and relating to the world around in similitude to His character.

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 

(Pro 16:9)

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 

(Pro 16:23)

The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. 

(Pro 24:9)

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 

(Pro 17:3)

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 

(Pro 28:26)

Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. 

(Pro 23:17-19)

There is a lot about the heart in Proverbs. Inextricably linked with how we speak and act, wisdom is centred in the way we think. Note first that in Hebrew culture, the heart is the 'thinking part', the brain - not the emotions necessarily (the Hebrews thought of the emotions as 'in my bowels'). Our heart is not naturally wise - we see that children have a heart of foolishness, and that we cannot trust our own heart. Instead we must turn to the Lord and seek His wisdom to direct our hearts, so that we start to think like Him. We can often put on a show to others, but He looks at our hearts, and there can be no deception of Himself.

Whatever we hide in our hearts will come out. Even though we may pretend, the way we think does get reflected in the way we act toward others.

He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 

(Pro 10:18-20)

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

(Pro 12:22)

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 

(Pro 14:7)

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. 

(Pro 17:28)

Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. 

(Pro 24:28-29)

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. 

(Pro 27:2)

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 

(Pro 24:17)

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 

(Pro 19:11)

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 

(Pro 14:29)

Our words, how we speak, is the biggest theme that I noticed going through these chapters. Again and again it seemed to come up from another angle. When to say something, if to say something, to always consider before speaking. Particularly when dealing with fools (taking in the general sense of anyone not following God's wisdom) - if they are not listening, then sometimes it is better to finish the discussion rather than waste words. If they are arguing, don't respond with violent words, but with soft words.
In situations where you have done well, don't seek praise, but allow God to use others to praise you if He chooses - and if not, He has seen it, and that is enough.

Don't gloat - even when the wicked or fools deserve punishment and they finally get punished, don't rejoice - instead respond to the situation in a spirit of meekness.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 

(Gal 6:1)

Galations refers to dealing between believers, but the principle extends to unbelievers even more so - remember that even with God we are fallible - how much more without His Spirit?

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 

(Pro 21:3)

The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. 

(Pro 21:8)

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? 

(Pro 24:10-12)

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 

(Pro 20:11)

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. 

(Pro 24:27-29)

So how are our thoughts and our words worked out? Through what we do, of course - without action, they are empty. God seeks us to live out the wisdom He has shown us, not just talk about it. We must be active, and proactive - not just waiting for situations to turn up on our doorstep, but seek out ways to serve others and live righteously. To dispense justice and work diligently. It's not easy  -  I know I have a tendency to laziness that I struggle with. We can't ignore our responsibilities because 'I'm young, I don't need to worry about this yet - I'll do it later', or 'I didn't know about that' - the verses above make clear these are not excuses!

So how is this different from other wisdom? People will point to many of the proverbs and declare that they were present in cultures before Solomon's time. They are right, as far as I know there are many proverbs that were just collected, and were not original to this book. They were still divinely inspired according to their inclusion and the editing, however, and we should not be surprised that the principles of God's wisdom are present in other cultures and other religions - He wants all to know it, and even before Israel there were people who knew God and learned His wisdom. This could be handed on and corrupted or taken out of context, but the root of wisdom is often still there.

Ultimately the difference I see between the wisdom of this world and God's wisdom is one of perspective. People like advice on how to live better, get the things they want, and generally succeed - and so the wisdom of this world tends to fall into two categories: selfish wisdom, and earthly-focused wisdom. Not all is completely selfish, but it does all tend to focus on events within time and the physical realm - God's wisdom keeps a perspective including a right relationship with God, and a focus not only on time but eternity.

Concluding with advice from Agur:

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 

(Pro 30:5-9)