Many of us have heard the story of someone receiving a call from an unknown number. The caller claims to be a police officer, saying that his child or family member is in serious trouble and needs bail money immediately. Out of compassion and panic, the victim doesn't think twice. He immediately went to the ATM and sent a large sum of money. But then he realised that it was all a scam. In a matter of minutes, years of hard work were gone, because he believed every word without having time to check the truth.
Proverbs 14, especially verse 15 reveals this reality sharply: "The inexperienced person trusts every word, but the astute person watches his steps." In this context, "the inexperienced person" is not only uninformed, but also lacks wisdom in assessing the situation. He or she is credulous, does not look at risks, and acts without judgement. A wise person, on the other hand, is described as one who watches his steps. He is not hasty, but looks at reality, considers possibilities, and makes decisions carefully. This difference is not primarily a matter of intellectual acumen, but of inner maturity. A wise person understands that not everything that sounds convincing is true, and not everything that seems urgent should be responded to immediately. He gives himself space to think, verify and weigh. This attitude protects him from many pitfalls, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
In today's life, we are inundated with information, opinions, and demands that come and go. Without realising it, we can become reactive: easily trusting, easily panicking, and easily moving without direction. But wisdom teaches us to pause, observe, and sort things out clearly. Wisdom is not about moving fast, but about moving right. So, let us ask ourselves honestly: have we been reacting or reflecting more? Are we easily swayed by fear, pressure, or the words of others, without really considering them?"
May God help us to have a wise heart, a heart that is not easily swayed, and is able to sort out clearly and step firmly. For a life of wisdom is not a life without risk, but a life lived with awareness, vigilance, and full trust in God's guidance.
