Proverbs 4:3 says, “When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.”
Your children do not naturally go after wise things! This is not naturally in keeping with their nature. They have to be instructed and you’re the one to do that. This culture is ruled by self definition. Everything is self defined today. Children need to say, “I don’t define myself. God defines me.” We do not want to raise foolish children.
Our psychologized culture says a foolish child:
*Is a slave to close-minded principles, the child must be free to self-expression!
*Is not educated in all world-view systems and does not accept each as equally valid!
*Is limited by authoritative structures!
Proverbs 1:22 has a description of three stages a child will go through in becoming thoroughly foolish!
*Open minded/without discernment/Naive
*Scoffer: Thinks high of his own opinions/A know it all (Psalm 2:4)
*Fool: Believes restrictions are bad/ “I am a law unto myself.”
This is oftentimes our children. How do you deal with children like this? Wisdom and knowledge begin with the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:29 “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.”
The child has to choose the fear of the Lord before they can become wise. They have to daily choose to obey God over their natural inclinations. A child who is respectful of the Word of God and humble and teachable will live a secure, confidant life. This is a truly wise child, and it begins with the choice they make to fear the Lord. Teach your children that fearing the Lord is a choice they make daily when they choose obedience to God over their natural desires. It is a dangerous sin before God to belittle godly counsel.
One type of fool is thickheaded and stubborn. This comes from a heart given over to laziness. Another type of fool lacks spiritual perception……the Hebrew word Nabal. A third type is arrogant, having dangerously high self-esteem. (self-love, self-esteem, self-focused) This fool will belittle godly wisdom, counsel and discipline. Like walking off the top of building your child will eventually suffer the consequences of this. Warn your child about the appeal of the wicked life. Wicked living will always carry a sheen of alluring excitement. (1:11-14) A person who is genuinely wise thinks about long term consequences and what this behavior is going to do. But God has designed it so that the wicked will never ultimately be able to enjoy their spoils. (1:15-19) Evil and sinfulness has a boomerang effect. Crime doesn’t pay in a God created world. Children need to understand that is the way God has designed life. Spurned wisdom will haunt the child that rejects it. (1:24-32) God will mock those who mock His truth. A parent cannot force child to walk in righteousness, but the parent can sure warn the child of the consequences of sin.
“Disaster pursues sinners.” - Proverbs 13:21
If our children will devote themselves to godly counsel there will be an attractiveness to their lives. God’s grace will be evident in their lives.
“But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” - Proverbs 1:33
A godly heart and godly disciplines begin in childhood.
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