Proverbs 18, 15 says, the heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. The heart is a strange thing. Of course, we're not talking about that organ that serves as a pump to circulate blood. We're talking about the heart in the sense of the core of a person, or the center of our being. This usage of the heart is called a metonymy. In other words, it's a figure of speech. In this sense, the heart of man is defined in several ways that all help us to understand what the Bible is speaking of when referring to the heart of the prudent. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, fifth edition, defines this idea of the heart as the vital center and source of one's being, emotions and sensibilities. Another definition, the repository of one's deepest and sincerest feelings and beliefs, and also the seat of the intellect or imagination. All of those apply here. Webster's 1828 dictionary defined it in similar terms as the seat of the affections and passions, the heart. As of love, joy, grief, enmity, courage, pleasure, etc. And as the seat of the understanding, as an understanding heart. But the following by Webster really just nails it as far as the biblical use of the term is concerned when the heart is defined as the seat of the will, hence secret purposes, intentions, or designs. That's what's meant when the Bible says, the heart of the prudent getteth knowledge. The problem is that's not the nature of man's heart. We have a sinful nature. And when we follow that nature, the heart of man is described in Jeremiah 17, nine and 10, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart. I try the reins even to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. It's only when God puts his word in us that we can exhibit any true wisdom in our lives and in our words. And that's what we're told of Solomon, whose wisdom has been talked about for 3,000 years. 2 Chronicles 9.23 says, and all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart. No man is born wise. Some are influenced by wise parents and other influences in their life, but when you trace that wisdom back that is found in those influences, one way or another, you'll find that it's just the ripple effects and outgrowth of biblical wisdom that's come down the line to influence that child at some point. They had Christian family or Christian education and upbringing and so forth. We covered Proverbs 2, 1 through 9 many moons ago, but it really sums up the matter. So let's just read it. Beginning of verse 1 of Proverbs 2. My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding, Yea, if thou cryest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding, if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom. Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity, yea, every good path. Simply by listening to or heeding the truth of Proverbs specifically in these devotionals or reading them on your own, you are demonstrating that you have the heart of the prudent. So just continue to do so faithfully and on a daily basis and you'll be continually changed by His Word and for His glory.