Are You Dead or Alive?

“The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind." (Proverbs 15:24, NLT)

There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, one for every day of the month, and for over 25 years, I’ve read a chapter a day. They never get old. The timeless words of wisdom speak, guide, convict, and challenge me to live an abundant life. And yet—what strikes me is how often Proverbs talks about death.

The death Proverbs alludes to isn’t just what follows our last breath—it’s a death we live in, fully functioning yet far from truly alive. Throughout its chapters, Proverbs contrasts wisdom and folly: wisdom leads to life, while folly leads to death. Beneath this contrast lies the piercing question: 

Are you dead or alive?

This question isn’t about our final heartbeat—it’s about the choices we make every day. Proverbs 8:36 says, “All who hate me love death.” The “me” refers to the wisdom of God. To reject wisdom is to walk away from the path of life.

King Solomon, the author of Proverbs, traveled this path. Though gifted with immense wisdom, he allowed folly to take root in his life. In his later years, he grew complacent, disobeying God’s commands—most notably by marrying multiple foreign wives, which led both him and Israel into idol worship. His choices unraveled his life—for generations—and set the stage for Israel’s division and decline. By turning from wisdom, Solomon led the people into spiritual death.

We don’t drift into this living death—we choose it. Not in one dramatic moment, but through small acts of apathy, pride, self-centeredness, compromise, and resistance. Over time, life deteriorates—not because God caused it, but because we’ve traded His wisdom for death.

But here’s the hope: We can truly live!

Ephesians 2:5 says, “…even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ.” Jesus—the very wisdom of God—is the way, the truth, and the path to abundant life. He offers us a resurrected, whole new life—now and forevermore.

So, the question remains: Are you dead or alive? 

We make a choice every day. 

Choose Wisdom. Choose Life. Choose Jesus.