Proverbs 5:15
Drink water out of thine own cistern, and running water out of thine own well. KJV
What are we to do with wisdom? A cistern is a hole or tank where water is stored for later use, especially in the dry times of the year. We are to do the same with wisdom. A good cistern would be carved in rock or sealed in such a way that the water stored in it would not leak out or evaporate.
A well is like a cistern except that it is dug into an underground water source and therefore replenished by running water flowing into it. Both the well and the cistern are applicable to wisdom. In John 4:7-15 and John 7:37-40, Jesus said that He is the source of living water. James 1 tells us we can draw from wisdom when we face various kinds of trials. Verse 5 says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. KJV
Living water will flow to us and can be stored in our cistern for present and future use. Wisdom does not come with an expiration date but we need to value God’s wisdom and not discard or replace it with some “new” wisdom which is what the balance of Proverbs 5 is illustrating.