A Little Fatherly Advice
by Dr. Gene Wolfenbarger
09/20/2023
Proverbs 4:20-23 - “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from mine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
One regret of my life is, I should have listened to my father more. I have noticed that wise fathers have the tendency to raise wise children. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but this is the rule instead of the exception.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise proverbs and sayings collected by King Solomon for the training of future leaders and raising Godly children. They not only speak politically, and spiritually but also individually...“to know wisdom and instruction;” (Proverbs 1:2). For seven chapters the book gives instruction and advice to “sons” or “children “of God. Note Proverbs 4:1 - “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father”. Also, verse 20, “My son, attend to my words;”.
Solomon is speaking from personal experience. According to Ecclesiastes 2, he allowed the world to rule his life. He, like the Prodigal son, sunk deep into the hog pen of the world. Now he advises his son to "KEEP thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23). When Solomon speaks of the heart he speaks of the womb of the soul. The place where all issues of life are conceived, birthed, and delivered whether good or bad, pure or evil. Matthew 15:18-20 - "But those things which proceed out of the mouth COME FORTH FROM THE HEART; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man:". Satan, the first terrorist, knows that if he can poison our hearts, then he can corrupt our lives! The quality of our life is determined by the condition of our hearts.
Three suggestions to consider:
1. NEVER TRUST YOUR HEART
Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
A. Keep your heart, guard your heart, watch your heart, but DO NOT trust your heart.
2. RELINQUISH CONTROL OF YOUR HEART
2 Thessalonians 3:5 - “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
A. Don’t be anxious, don’t get ahead of God.
B. Wait upon the Lord while keeping watch on your heart.
Isaiah 26:4 - “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”.
3. ENJOY GOD’S BLESSINGS
Jeremiah 24:7 - “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God:”
A. Enjoy being forgiven
B. Enjoy being saved
C. Enjoy the prospect of Heaven
*REMEMBER: as a man thinketh in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7).
09/20/2023
Proverbs 4:20-23 - “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from mine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
One regret of my life is, I should have listened to my father more. I have noticed that wise fathers have the tendency to raise wise children. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but this is the rule instead of the exception.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise proverbs and sayings collected by King Solomon for the training of future leaders and raising Godly children. They not only speak politically, and spiritually but also individually...“to know wisdom and instruction;” (Proverbs 1:2). For seven chapters the book gives instruction and advice to “sons” or “children “of God. Note Proverbs 4:1 - “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father”. Also, verse 20, “My son, attend to my words;”.
Solomon is speaking from personal experience. According to Ecclesiastes 2, he allowed the world to rule his life. He, like the Prodigal son, sunk deep into the hog pen of the world. Now he advises his son to "KEEP thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23). When Solomon speaks of the heart he speaks of the womb of the soul. The place where all issues of life are conceived, birthed, and delivered whether good or bad, pure or evil. Matthew 15:18-20 - "But those things which proceed out of the mouth COME FORTH FROM THE HEART; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man:". Satan, the first terrorist, knows that if he can poison our hearts, then he can corrupt our lives! The quality of our life is determined by the condition of our hearts.
Three suggestions to consider:
1. NEVER TRUST YOUR HEART
Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
A. Keep your heart, guard your heart, watch your heart, but DO NOT trust your heart.
2. RELINQUISH CONTROL OF YOUR HEART
2 Thessalonians 3:5 - “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
A. Don’t be anxious, don’t get ahead of God.
B. Wait upon the Lord while keeping watch on your heart.
Isaiah 26:4 - “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”.
3. ENJOY GOD’S BLESSINGS
Jeremiah 24:7 - “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God:”
A. Enjoy being forgiven
B. Enjoy being saved
C. Enjoy the prospect of Heaven
*REMEMBER: as a man thinketh in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7).
Posted in Living for God
Posted in Proverbs 4, Father, Wisdom, wise, instruction, son, words, experience, heart, blessings
Posted in Proverbs 4, Father, Wisdom, wise, instruction, son, words, experience, heart, blessings
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