INSTRUCTION

Proverbs 1:8-9(Amplified): "My son, hear the instruction of your father; reject not nor forsake the teaching of your mother; 9 For they are a (victor's) chaplet of grace upon your head, and the chains and pendants (of gold worn by kings) for your neck."
Proverbs 1:10-19 (RSV): 10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us wantonly ambush the innocent; 12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13 we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with spoil; 14 throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse" 15 my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot from their paths; 16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. 17 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird; 18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an ambush for their own lives. 19 Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence; it takes away the life of its possessors."


THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

One of the requirements for receiving wisdom is the admonition for sons and daughters to listen to and respect the godly advice and teachings from our parents. In fact, this is one of the ten commandments listed in Exodus 20:12: "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." Notice this commandment comes with a promise -- if we honor our parents, we will have long life. Parents are older, therefore they have more experience and are able to instruct their children wisely so they can avoid the mistakes that they may have made. This blessing is described in today's verses as a victor's wreath on one's head which means we shall walk in an overcoming position in this life. The golden necklace is symbolic of prosperity and favor. If we are obedient children we will have these blessings. If we are godly parents we are able to pass these blessings on to our children, who in turn can pass them on to theirs.

In looking at these verses, we can see that as parents, it is our responsibility to warn our children of the dangers of hanging out with the wrong crowd. Also, there are warnings to young people to stay away from habitual sinners. There is a saying stating that, "Birds of a feather flock together." If we do not want to be like the kind of people that are evil, we must not be buddies with them, nor allow our children to buddy with them. There is another saying, "If you play with fire you will get burned." Young people and older people as well, cannot entertain the notion that you can be close to wickedness and not find yourself being drug into the same wicked deeds that they do. If we do not resist evil, it will soon overtake us. Smaller sins eventually lead to bigger ones. The Bible says that greed, and the desire for money can lead one into robbery and as the above verses declare, even to murder. Gangs are rampant today because the above words of wisdom were not heeded by many of our young people.

One trick that the devil uses to ensnare good Christians is to entice them to become friends with ungodly people. Satan usually whispers that by being their friend, you can win them to Christ. I am not saying we should snub evil people, nor should we be unkind to them. However, we cannot become close buddies to those that practice unrighteousness, as this has been the downfall of many Christians. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 , Psalm 37:1-4