Buy The Truth

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23 (KJV)

This verse is a metaphor, or a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that represents one thing is used in place of another to suggest a similarity between them. An example of a metaphor is “a heart of stone,” which shows someone who is unfeeling and cold. The hard heart of the person is compared to a stone. That is a metaphor, and this metaphor refers to truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding as commodities that can be bought and sold.

To buy the truth, we must study God’s Word, seek God, and pray and cry out for help. Once you’ve obtained truth, don’t sell it, or in any way get rid of it.

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 (KJV)

We must apply our hearts to instruction, putting our hearts in a position to hear God’s Word and gain knowledge. This takes time spent in His Word and in His presence. The result will be Proverbs 23:18.

For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 (KJV)

The New Living Translation makes verse this even clearer.

You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed. Proverbs 23:18 (New Living Translation, NLT)

When we apply our hearts to instruction and our ears to the words of knowledge, “buying” the truth and holding onto it, as well as to wisdom, instruction, and understanding, there will be a reward. The end result of buying the truth is that what you expect and hope for will come to pass. There is always a reward for seeking God and His wisdom and truth. The Lord rewards those who seek Him.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) emphasis mine