The verse Proverbs 23:23 says “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” This verse encourages us to highly value truth and wisdom, pursuing them at any cost. Let’s explore the meaning of this verse in more depth:
Buying Truth
“Buying” truth means seeking it out diligently, regardless of the effort or sacrifice required. Just as we would pay money to obtain something valuable in the marketplace, we should be willing to give up our time, energy, comfort, and even possessions to gain truth and wisdom from God’s word (Proverbs 2:1-5). This requires actively reading Scripture, studying biblical principles, and pursuing relationships with wise believers who can impart godly understanding to us (Proverbs 13:20).
Buying truth also means embracing it wholeheartedly once we have found it, allowing God’s truth to transform our hearts, minds and actions. We must be willing to change our perspectives, habits, and desires to align with biblical truth, rather than ignoring or rejecting it. As Jesus declared, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Not Selling Truth
After obtaining wisdom and truth, we must not “sell” it. This means refusing to compromise or abandon biblical principles for any substitute, no matter how tempting. When truth becomes inconvenient, unpopular or costly to follow, we may be enticed to “sell” it by rationalizing and justifying behaviors that go against God’s standards. We must resist the urge to exchange unchanging scriptural truth for lies, half-truths and moral relativism that pervade secular culture.
Proverbs 23:23 warns against selling God’s truth “for money, possessions, accolades from others, sinful pleasures, or to avoid ridicule and persecution.” The price offerings from the world will always pale in comparison to the eternal value and reward of clinging to truth. Jesus asks what good it is to gain the whole world yet forfeit our souls in the process (Mark 8:36).
Buying Wisdom, Instruction and Understanding
Along with truth, we are exhorted to buy wisdom, instruction and understanding. Wisdom refers to skillful living according to God’s principles which brings blessing and success. Instruction means receiving biblical teaching, reproof and correction which guides us in truth. Understanding describes discernment and comprehension of God’s ways which comes through consistent study of Scripture.
These three things are worth more than all the riches in the world (Proverbs 8:10-11). When we buy into them wholeheartedly, we gain knowledge of God Himself and understanding of His perfect will. Buying wisdom and truth should be our highest aim in life.
The Cost of Buying Truth
While truth is priceless and free in one sense, the wise person understands there is a cost to truly buy and keep it. Here are some “costs” we may have to pay:
- Time spent reading Scripture, even when it’s not convenient
- Energy exerted in resisting temptation and wrong desires
- Letting go of sinful habits and comforts
- Discipline to walk in holiness and obedience
- Perseverance in doing good, even when difficult
- Relinquishing popular opinions of culture to follow God’s ways
- Sacrificing money, possessions and ambitions to prioritize truth
- Forsaking relationships which hinder living truthfully
- Withstanding ridicule, rejection and persecution for righteousness’ sake
While the costs seem high, Jesus assures us the sacrifices are far outweighed by the blessings we gain in this life and for eternity (Mark 10:29-30). We must not let fear of “paying the price” prevent us from wholeheartedly buying truth.
Benefits of Buying Truth
When we buy the truth and refuse to sell it regardless of opposing forces, we gain invaluable benefits including:
- Guidance – God’s truth lights our path in all decisions (Psalm 119:105)
- Obedience – Truth strengthens us to follow God’s righteous commands
- Discernment – Truth protects us from deception, false teaching and poor choices
- Freedom – Walking in God’s truth frees us from slavery to sin (John 8:32)
- Security – Standing on God’s unchanging truth anchors us amidst life’s storms
- Hope – Truth gives confident expectation of God’s promises for now and eternity
- Blessing – Abiding in God’s truth brings his favor and prosperity into our lives (Joshua 1:8)
When truth is our highest treasure, the returns are eternal. Though costs are required to obtain and keep it, they pale in comparison to the rewards for those who buy truth and refuse to sell it. May we all highly value truth and wisdom!
Examples of Buying and Selling Truth
Here are some real-life examples of buying or selling truth:
Buying Truth
- A man struggling with pornography decides to install internet filters, change routines, and meet with an accountability partner weekly, even though it’s uncomfortable
- A woman leaves an abusive boyfriend after realizing his behaviors violate biblical principles, despite his attempts to justify them
- A family commits to reading the Bible together daily and joining a Bible-believing church for discipleship, though it means rearranging priorities
- A college student stands up boldly for Christian values in class, even when peers mock his perspectives
- A businessman makes business decisions based on biblical integrity, though it sometimes means smaller profits
Selling Truth
- A man stops attending church so he can work and earn more money to buy luxuries
- A Christian woman has an abortion because it seems like practical solution, though she knows God forbids it
- A family compromises their standards to fit in with worldly friends who are living unbiblically
- A pastor remains silent on moral issues during preaching to avoid offending members and donors
- A married man flirts with women at work even though it compromises his integrity and witness
How to Continually Buy Truth
Since growing in truth and wisdom is a lifelong process, here are some tips for continually buying truth and not selling it:
- Start each day reading God’s Word and asking for discernment
- Study biblical truth deeply through books, sermons, and dialogue with other believers
- Examine your heart and behavior in light of Scripture, being ready to change
- Repent quickly when you recognize compromise or disobedience
- Surround yourself with friends who challenge you to follow God’s truth
- Run from temptations that lead you away from truth
- Pray for courage to stand for truth when it’s difficult
- Commit to obey God’s truth consistently, one day at a time
Buying truth is a daily decision. We must continually realign our lives to God’s standards and seek after His wisdom. Then we will grow deep spiritual roots that stabilize us no matter what storms come. Truth is worth investing in!
Summary of Key Points
To summarize the key points:
- Buying truth means diligently seeking it out and embracing it wholeheartedly
- Not selling truth means refusing to compromise God’s principles for anything this world offers
- Along with truth, we must buy wisdom, instruction and understanding
- There are costs to buying truth, but the benefits far outweigh them
- Examples abound of buying or selling truth in daily life
- Continually buying truth is a lifelong process that requires commitment and discipline
May we all heed the call in Proverbs 23:23 to fervently buy truth and wisdom. They are investments that reap eternal rewards and bring great blessing even now. Let’s choose to buy truth and not sell it!