If you’ve come across Proverbs 14:1 and wondered, “How can someone tear down their home with their hands?” then it’s time to dig deeper into what the verse is really saying!

Before reading scripture, it is important to understand the context of the verse and what is being spoken. We know we can’t take scripture out of the Bible like we would a definition in a dictionary. We need to see the story as a whole and a wider picture of what is being said.

Can we tear down our homes with our hands? Technically yes, but that would be hard. Proverbs 14 1 is speaking about this in a metaphoric way, referring to the destruction women have with their words and actions.

The Heart of the Home

I often talk about how women are the heart of the home. Our husband is the head, but we are the beating life-force, working with the head to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Because of this, we have a lot of power and control over how people feel and behave. You may have noticed this, that your actions and emotions will dictate how your family interacts with one another.

I know this to be true in my home as well. In fact I find it frustrating on days when I am sick or tired because there isn’t extra energy in the tank, I have enough to keep us fed and clothed and loved but nothing extra for fun and excitement.

These are the days when my children seem to discover unbridled energy that results in them teasing one another until one or both of them is crying. And then, because I’m not feeling well, I am less patient, which only incurs more problems.

My struggling mood impacts everyone around me.

But you won’t tear your home down if you have a couple rough days. If the underlying current in your home is one of peace and joy, a few days where you aren’t feeling good shouldn’t destroy what you’ve built.

So what does?

Proverbs 14:1

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 14:1

Much of the book of proverbs talks about wisdom, seeking wisdom and what happens when you turn away from it. And sometimes it can feel like it is written in riddles, it’s hard to decipher.

But when we look at the verse in the wider context of the Bible, we start to see what it means and the implications for your life and home.

We know that a wise man (or woman) builds their house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). In other words, we are to build our lives on the foundation of God and His word. Building your house on sand, or your life on the shaky unknown of the world and lead to destruction.

Because there is no rock like our God (Samuel 2:2).

That is what Proverbs 14:1 is referring to. To tear down a home with your own hands means turning away from wisdom and from God. Our wisdom comes from God, Proverbs says this repeatedly.

So when we read this verse, with the knowledge of the rest of Proverbs and the Bible, we know that the wise woman didn’t learn how to maintain her house because of her worldly education. She learned it from God.

And to tear it down would mean turning away from God or abandoning His principles and instructions.

What Is God’s Wisdom?

So what is God’s wisdom? How does he want us to “build up” our homes instead of tearing them down?

Our Heavenly Father gives us example after example in the Bible about how we should behave. Old testament stories of people like Daniel, Hannah and Jonah, which show what happens when you listen to God (like God rescuing you from the mouth of the lion – Daniel 6:22) or sending a giant fish to swallow you because you turned away from Him (Jonah 1:17).

And we are given more examples of how to live a life for Jesus in the New Testament. Things like wearing love (Colossians 3:14) or having the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

If we turn away from God and His wisdom, that is when we run the risk of “tear down our homes.” If we don’t have His scriptures written on our hearts and His prayers on our lips, we are likely to find resentment in place of love, bitter words in place of sweet ones.

It is God who gives us the wisdom to build up our families and our homes. And without that wisdom, we have only the power to destroy them.

Build Up Your Home

Choose God’s wisdom. Study your Bible and draw strength from His word. This is where you will learn how to maintain patience, gentleness, love and endurance.

This is also where you will find strength to move through the difficult days as you talk to God, seeking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. Proverbs 14:1 tells us as women that we have the power to make a home full of love and peace, if we build it on God.

When a woman builds her life on God, then she can build her family on God too.

Take time to seek God’s purpose for your life and your home. Pray over your space and those within it. Be strengthened by God’s spirit and build up your home on the rock!

Want more scriptures and prayers to cover your home with? Get my 30-day guide, to help you build your home on a strong foundation.

Want to pray love over your family? Read about it HERE.