Proverbs 28

Bold Like Lions, Guided Like Children: Lessons from Proverbs 28
Our final Friday in Proverbs

As we wrap up our last Friday in the Proverbs 31 Challenge, we can’t help but feel grateful — not just for the journey, but for the stories, scriptures, and Spirit-led moments we’ve shared along the way. Proverbs 28 gave us so much to reflect on, and today, we’re leaning into a few specific verses that God really illuminated for us.

Living Boldly—or Running Scared

The verse that jumped off the page for us was Proverbs 28:1:

“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

That contrast hit hard. We've all experienced the fear and guilt that comes with doing something we know isn’t right—sneaking in late, hiding something small (or big), wondering if someone knows. Maybe you’ve had that moment when a parent, spouse, or boss simply says “hello” and you spiral inside wondering, Do they know?

We remembered a wild story from a few years ago where a man drove his car into our house—literally. No one was chasing him, but he panicked and ran from police because of a warrant he had. He created chaos... all because he thought he was being pursued.

That’s the life of the wicked—not because they’re being hunted, but because they carry guilt. It eats at them. That’s what the Proverbs say, and it rings true.

But the second part of the verse? That’s the freedom we’re after: “the righteous are as bold as a lion.” When we’re walking in step with the Spirit, when we’re keeping things in the light—no hidden secrets, no skeletons in the closet—we can walk confidently. We can speak with clarity and live without fear of being found out. That kind of freedom? It’s rare, and it’s beautiful.

We Don’t Know What’s Best—But God Does

Other verses that stood out carried a common theme: we’re not as wise as we think we are.

“Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.” – Proverbs 28:5

“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” – Proverbs 28:14

“Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” – Proverbs 28:26

These verses remind us of something we’ve all experienced: the tendency to trust ourselves too much. We get caught up in the busy rhythm of life—paying bills, raising kids, showing up at work—and start to believe we’ve got it all figured out. But Scripture gently reminds us: those who trust in themselves are fools.

A parenting story brought this truth home for us. Our son Cal, in all his confidence, thought it was a good idea to put 50 pumps of lotion in his hair. (Yes, you read that right.) To him, it seemed smart—until his poor scalp was buried under layers of baby cream, sunscreen, toothpaste, and whatever else he could find to "be like Dad."

It’s funny… but it’s us. We often live like we know what’s best, when God is standing by—like a good parent—trying to help us avoid the mess. These boundaries He gives us aren’t to limit us. They’re to protect us. When we tremble before the Lord, when we submit to His wisdom instead of relying on our own, we live safer, freer, and more grounded lives.

Walking in the Light Is Worth It

Whether it's unconfessed sin or unchecked pride, Proverbs 28 reminds us that walking in the dark leads to anxiety, fear, and mess. But walking in the light—submitting to God's ways and leaning on His wisdom—brings freedom, boldness, and peace.

So what stood out to you in Proverbs 28? Was it the call to walk boldly? The reminder to stop trusting yourself and start seeking God? We’d love to hear it. Share it with us online, journal it, talk it out with a friend.

And if you’ve been journeying with us through the Proverbs Challenge, way to go! You’ve spent the month growing in wisdom, and that’s something worth celebrating. Let’s carry this rhythm into next month as we dive into the book of Titus together.

Let’s keep walking in the Spirit.
Let’s keep walking in the light.
Let’s keep being bold like lions.

“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God…” – Proverbs 28:14
Let that blessing be ours.