A Fool Despises His Father's Instructions, But Learning to Obey Brings Honor

"Word Pictures" for Our Imagination

Sunday, July 6th Free Printable Devotional Sheets

Today's Daily Verse is found in Proverbs 15.5

"Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise."        - New Living Translation

The hurdle so many young people face is to deal with the infamous misconception that we know more than our parents, and what we think we know is superior to what our parents try and tell us...

We cannot just leap over the years of experience that our parents have gone through, as good or as bad as that record may be.

Two foundation scriptures lead the way here -

Exodus 20.12 "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

Ephesians 6.1-3 "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."

An amazing biblical principle we need to look at...

The amazing principle is this -

"Whoever has the right to give a "name" is given the "authority" as well...

Parents When a baby is born, the parents decide the name that the child will have... This also gives the parents the GOD given authority to teach, train, and have total say over what goes on in the child's life - until they are old enough to succeed on their own

When a family brings a new puppy into the family, the family names the dog and exercises authority over the care, training, and general welfare of the animal... They named it. They take authority over the dog, coupled also with "responsibility" to make sure the dog is treated with excellence...

Adam names the animals... Genesis 2.19-20 " So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him." Man had dominion over all these until the fall, when Adam and Eve sinned. When Daniel was in the lion's den - his relationship with GOD allowed the animal hostility to be suspended...

Christians When we respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ and are "born again" of the Holy Spirit of GOD, we receive a new name - "Christians" GOD names us into a spiritual relationship with Himself, and in doing so, we are under His dominion and authority as He takes the awesome responsibility for our spiritual future.

Where does it all start from?

By learning to be in subjection to our parents...

• The authority of parents, is the authority of GOD.
• Subjection to parents is the law of nature
• Children never have to learn how to say "no"...they need to be brought under authority of the parents, and it is the responsibility of the parents to make this happen -

What has to break before children can submit to their parents?

• Pride must be broken down and the child "clothed" with humility
• Humility is the gentle willingness to be taught 
  

1 Peter 5.5 "You younger men, follow the leadership of those who are older. And all of you serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud."

Only with "humility" can we see that others know more, and know what is better, than ourselves...and this is the pathway to "honor and blessing"!

If we cannot obey our natural father...

If we resist the authority of our parents, how possibly can we submit to the authority of GOD's spiritual authority?

It is very dangerous to not listen to our natural parents...

Resisting the wisdom of parents will bring a fearful ending...

Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 23 Eli said to them, “I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning? 24 You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the Lord’s people are not good. 25 If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?” But Eli’s sons wouldn’t listen to their father, for the Lord was already planning to put them to death."

How was a "rebellious son" dealt with?

Pretty severe. Yet we so often accept rebellion as a "growing up" natural flaw.   It is a serious flaw that, if left to mature will destroy.

Deuteronomy 21.18-21 "“Suppose a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or mother, even though they discipline him. 19 In such a case, the father and mother must take the son to the elders as they hold court at the town gate. 20 The parents must say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and refuses to obey. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of his town must stone him to death. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you, and all Israel will hear about it and be afraid."

Solomon obeyed his father...

Solomon's wisdom is doubtless connected to his obedience and willingness to learn from his father...

1 Chronicles 22.11-13 "Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success as you follow his directions in building the Temple of the Lord your God. 12 And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel. 13 For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!"

1 Chronicles 28.9 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

1 Chronicles 28.20 "Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."

A Last Word:

Receiving correction in humility results in honor.

Matthew 18.3-4 "Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."

Let's Get Started!

See you tomorrow...

In the meantime: May I encourage you to call or email someone and invite them to join us in our daily study in Proverbs... Your call today, may be the lifeline they really need...make that call. You, and they will be pleased you did! Thanks for making that call...