The Instruction of a Father
Let’s look at and meditate on Proverbs 4 today. We are God’s children. And He is asking us to “hear the instruction of a father.” We also can read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that God instructs us with His words.
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. – Pro 4:1 KJV
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. – Pro 4:2 KJV
Instruction is Good
When I was still being deceived by the “god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).” Then, I believed that God was controlling everything and even using the devil to teach and discipline us. But, that is deception! This BS (belief system) is absolutely contrary to God’s words.
Father Said Unto Me
For I was my father’s son, tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother. – Pro 4:3 KJV
He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. – Pro 4:4 KJV
His commandments are to love God with everything. Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). And love one another (disciples) and your spouse (believer or not) as Christ loves the church (John 13:34, Ephesians 5:25). Agape (God’s kind of love) is clearly defined as actions we can take not feelings or emotions we have to contend with. Love is translated as “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13 KJV. If we are saying or doing anything apart from God, we are acting only in vanity, futility, and being rendered useless to kingdom building.
The Greatest is Love
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. – Rom 13:8 KJV
God is love. The greatest is love. Until we get the revelation of God’s love for us, for all of humanity, yes, God so loved the whole world that He gave! Until we freely receive the love of God to us how can we freely give (Matthew 10:7-8)?
People are God’s riches in glory (Philippians 4:19)! We have to stop using people and stop loving the things of the world. And start loving people as God Almighty commands and using the things of the world! I used to go to people to receive what I can only receive from God. My value, identity, worthiness, confidence, etc. All of this is written! But instead of finding out what God says about us (Philemon 1:6), we seek honor from men (John 5:40-44).
Pray for Wisdom
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. – Pro 4:5 KJV
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. – Pro 4:6 KJV
Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. – Pro 4:7 KJV
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. – Pro 4:8 KJV
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. – Pro 4:9 KJV
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. – Pro 4:10 KJV
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. – Pro 4:11 KJV
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. – Pro 4:12 KJV
Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life. – Pro 4:13 KJV
Path of the Wicked?
Is murder wicked? How about adultery and fornication? Homosexuality? What about manipulation and guilt? Suicide? All of the world’s media is glamorizing these wicked things that the enemy uses to steal, kill, and destroy life! Why would Christians pay to have this sewage piped into their minds and their homes? Subtle deception (Genesis 3:1). It seems harmless. A little here. And a little more there.
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]. – Pro 4:14 KJV
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. – Pro 4:15 KJV
Our Father is instructing us to stay away from evil! The truth will set you free. Options that will save your life instead of destroying it:
You Will Want To Listen to the Instruction of a Father
I watch all of the sin and wickedness that I want to. Absolutely none! And I flee from anyone who is watching or listening to the filth of the world. One of the songs I listen to says, “I have wisdom. I read Proverbs fool!” That sounds harsh, but that is exactly what the Bible says. If you are not pursuing wisdom and seeking first God’s kingdom, you are stupid! I used to be stupid. It was horrible and miserable! Don’t worry. God still loves you. Even stupid! It’s your choice.
Stop Robbing God
You are just robbing God of the opportunity to bless you so that you can be a blessing. And you are inviting the enemy to come into you and possess your mind, will, and emotions (soul) and to destroy your body and family and your whole world. You have God-given free will and the only person you have control over is yourself. If you are not walking in the Spirit, you are giving both over to the devil. He comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
No Rest for the Wicked (Isaiah 57:20-21)
James 1:5-8 talks about asking for wisdom but don’t be double-minded. You can go to church every time the doors open and then leave to go gossip and indulge in all the cares of the world. But you will not have faith to receive all of the goodness of God with your other foot in the grave (Romans 6:23). All you will accomplish is feeling good about how good you look to people while you are filled with dead men’s bones (Matthew 23:25-28).
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall. – Pro 4:16 KJV
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. – Pro 4:17 KJV
A Father’s Instruction Compares
Again, those who choose to seek first God’s kingdom are the shining light.
But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. – Pro 4:18 KJV
The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. – Pro 4:19 KJV
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. – Pro 4:20 KJV
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. – Pro 4:21 KJV
But those who choose to dabble in darkness, because “You know, it really isn’t hurting anything…” You don’t even know why you are tripping (Proverbs 4:19)!!! You don’t have to continue in stupidity! It’s your choice. I choose life and that life more abundantly (John 10:10). I Choose Jesus! That’s my choice. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD! Hallelujah!
My Words are Life Unto those that Find Them
John 15:7 records Jesus talking about the benefits of His words abiding in us. This requires discipline and diligence from us to take the time to fellowship with Him and sow His incorruptible seed into our hearts (1 Peter 1:23).
For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. – Pro 4:22 KJV
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life. – Pro 4:23 KJV
Gossip Kills
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. – Pro 4:24 KJV
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. – Pro 4:25 KJV
Jesus warns us about idle words in Matthew 12:36. Gossip destroys a piece of you, your listener, and your attitudes toward the person(s) you are gossiping about. And we are warned to mind our own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Why?
So you can increase more and more or be blessed to be a blessing (1 Thessalonians 4:10).
Why?
So that you may walk honestly and have NO LACK (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
Ponder of the Instruction of a Father
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. – Pro 4:26 KJV
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. – Pro 4:27 KJV
This is good! The path is narrow and few find it. But we can be the light that leads the way!