Friday, October 13, 2023

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

We conclude the week with this one verse that is usually quoted by well-meaning Christians. The passage comes from the book of Proverbs. What are proverbs? Proverbs are wise sayings or precepts that express some truth or useful thought. Proverbs are not prophecies or promises. An example is seen in Proverbs 10:27 which states that the wicked person’s life is cut short, while the righteous live long and prosperous lives. There is some truth to that saying, but those outcomes are not guaranteed. When we live righteous lives, we are less likely to deal with the consequences of deliberate, sinful behavior. There is truth to the verse, but it is not absolute. It is not a promise; it is a proverb.

What does that mean in context to our scripture for today? It means that we should teach and discipline our children in hopes that these disciplined behaviors become their own habits, rooted in a relationship with Christ. Is it a promise? No, it is not – neither for children who were raised by Christian parents or for those who have lived their entire lives without Christ. So, what does that mean? That means we cannot rely fully on the fact that we raised our children in a Christian manner. We must pray for them and provide godly advice when appropriate.

PRAYER: Lord, teach me how to appropriate your Word in my life. Let me learn to rightly divide it so that I do not misrepresent you in thought or behavior. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.