#1334. Proverbs 10:6-11 – Become worthy of remembering (21/8/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional where we are continuing in our Wisdom for Life series from Proverbs. 

Today, from Proverbs 10:6-11, we reflect on: The person that we truly are, and the person we are becoming should be someone who is worthy of remembering and imitation. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below. 

i. What we say cannot hide who we truly are

We are promised great blessing when we choose God’s wisdom and pursue righteousness. This is contrasted with those evil people who often mask their ‘violent’ hearts with deceptive or manipulative speech. However, even though we may hide our ‘violent’ - hateful, scornful, judgemental, self-serving - intentions, these things will reap a bad harvest. 

We cannot hide who we truly are. That’s why it matters so deeply to seek a renewed heart and to guard it carefully, lest bitterness, anger, and cynicism take root. As Proverbs often reminds us, life flows from the heart. Let’s be a people marked by authentic godliness, free from the cancer of resentment toward others and the world.

ii. Who we truly are is the baton we pass on

This verse invites reflection: What do I want written on my gravestone? What kind of legacy will I leave behind?How we live today shapes how we’ll be remembered tomorrow. Will the next generation want to imitate our example or quietly forget it? At the end of our lives, we all pass on a baton. What kind of baton are we preparing to hand over? The writer to the Hebrews reminds us:

live in such a way that others would be blessed to follow in our footsteps.

iii. To have good character, we must be teachable? 

A key mark of godly wisdom is how we respond to instruction - from those in authority, from Scripture, and from the wise people around us. Fools are wise in their own eyes, refusing advice and preferring the sound of their own opinions. And truthfully, I know I’m sometimes guilty of this. The world - especially online - is overflowing with self-appointed experts offering their opinions without experience or accountability. James gives us a sobering warning:

Let’s humbly listen, learn, and be teachable — it’s a sign of wisdom and maturity.

iv. Our teachable character will be shown by the paths we choose 

Following on from how we listen and receive wisdom is the need to put this into practice by choosing the right path. To ‘walk in integrity’ is to be ‘integrated’; that means we are in harmony - our understanding and application are in harmony. Such integrity promises ’security’. When we walk in God’s wisdom, we don’t have ‘skeletons in the closet’, and we are not being reckless. Additionally, for Christians, it means that we are living in the rest and security that the gospel gives to us. In contrast, we see that those who choose ‘crooked paths will be found out’ (‘Shall be known’) - they will be ‘found out’ or ‘known’ as fools by the chaotic fruit of their choices. God’s ways are straight paths, and to reject these - if we are not teachable as we saw in the previous proverb - our crooked choices will reveal our true character. 

vi. Avoid devious and damaging speech 

This is a synonymous proverb - the second line reinforces the point of the first.

The first line highlights the subtle ways people can deceive - for instance, making a seemingly innocent comment while others are ‘in on the joke’ or the deception, often signalled by a wink.

Imagine gossiping about someone’s laziness, then turning to them with a disingenuous, “So… been busy lately?” It’s a form of bullying and manipulation.

The second line shows that, like deceptive speech, foolish chatter - gossip, slander, or petty griping - inevitably causes damage. Families, friendships, churches, and workplaces can be torn apart by words spoken behind backs or to the wrong people.

It’s worth asking ourselves: Do I speak in secret about others? Do I gossip or complain to people who can’t do anything about the issue?

Let’s be those who speak wisely, truthfully, and graciously - bringing things into the light and protecting peace in our relationships.

Let’s pray together:

“Father, lead me into deeper integrity. May my heart, soul, mind, and strength be united in serving you. May I be exemplary. May I set an example ‘speech, life, love, and faith’. May I pass on truth to the next generation. Amen.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

Week #11: Proverbs 9:10-10:14. Leave a worthy legacy

1. What themes stand out in this week’s section? Identify key ideas and repeated patterns. What is the focus of this section?

2. What promises does God offer, and what warnings does He give? Look for specific encouragements, blessings, or cautions in the text.

3. How does this speak into our lives today? What are the practical ways we could live this out — individually, in our families, in our community?

4. How is God calling you to respond? Consider what this means for your heart, your choices, and your direction.

5. SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How might the wisdom in this week's section of Proverbs help us to be a light for Jesus?

• Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

  
  

6. Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the 'people of peace' in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.