My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:20-27
Solomon was a man of great wisdom. Some would call than an under statement, but I feel good about simply recognizing his wisdom. The text above is an example. We parents can read verses like those and only hope our children and grandchildren can be successful in following the wise advice.
Attention to the importance of scriptural admonition is always recommended, and Solomon desires complete attention from his readers, especially emphasizing these words are "life to those who find them and health to one's whole body." Read the verses again, not only to see the life they contain, but also our desire for our loved ones to live the life they contain.
Here is good, sound advice: Guard your heart. Don't speak perversity. Stay free of corrupt talk. Look straight ahead, fixing your gaze before you. Consider carefully the paths you take. Be steadfast. Keep yourself from evil.
Too many times, reading a list like that brings us to believe those really are words of wisdom, but they are pictured to us like an unattainable goal. I find myself reading the list and trying to determine a strong point or two, for me, then recognizing the ones which uncover some of my weaknesses. I am thinking now the best way for us to teach the words of wisdom to others is through memorization. Please join me in memorizing these few verses, while sharing them with someone you know will appreciate the wisdom of the message they bring.
My favorite line, and perhaps the one we should all work on first is this one:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
ronbwriting@gmail.com
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