(Proverbs 3:1-12) Internalizing Godly living

As a father, my life sometimes, is a life of irony and humor.

Specifically, being a father of two boys has made me scratch my head a few times.

In full disclaimer, I borrow my next point from a well known camp speaker back in the states.

But we all recognize that many boys have a bit of super hero complex in them.

One day, XX, a X year old boy got a cape and a sword.

> So he gots this cape and sword.

And he would yield that sword and say - And he would get this grr look, and yell - I got the power.

And so for the next month he is going around the neighborhood … and everybody he sees - he grips that sword, and yells I got the power.

But one day, he is walking by, and he watches a bee nest get disturbed

… and all the bee’s chasing after his friends, and he see’s his friends running in frenzy.

And what do you think popped into his head - “I got the power”.

And he bolts in.

What do you think he learned?

He didn’t have the power.

Not one bit.

X stings latter, crushed by his own ego, he learned he had much still to learn.

That boy not alone in his unmerited ego.

The book of Proverbs, and specifically, Chapter 3 deals with that reality.

In, Proverbs 3:1-12, Solomon gives his son a challenge - to internalize his teachings, and to be careful of 5 ways we often reject that wisdom.

Proverbs 3:1–12 ESV

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

I believe the main challenge Proverbs 3:1-12 teaches us is - that we must:

Live Godly lives by Internalizing the wisdom teachings of God

And this text gives us 5 ways we should be internalizing the wisdom teachings of God

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PRAY

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We must first internalize the wisdom of God -

(1) By Remembering God’s Revealed Teachings. (Pr 3:1-4)

Proverbs 3:1–4 ESV

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

(2) By Trusting in God’s Revealed Teachings. (Pr 3:5-6)

(3) By Being Humble Regarding Our Own Wisdom. (Pr 3:7-8)

(4) By Always Honoring God with Our Prosperity. (Pr 3:9-10)

(5) By Valuing God’s Rebuke. (Pr 3:11-12)