Instructions of the Father

Introduction

Proverbs 4:1-4

My parents sought to instill wisdom in me. They wanted me to know how to live life. They did this because they loved me. He warned me to do what he taught me. He told me the commandments and encouraged me to live by them.

What to do with Wisdom

Proverbs 4:5-13

A. You Should Seek Wisdom

Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

B. You Should Retain Wisdom

Proverbs 4:6 “Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee.”

Proverbs 4:13 “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.”

C. You Should Value Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7–12 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.”

What to do with Temptation

A. Do not Entertain it

Proverbs 4:14 “Enter not into the path of the wicked, And go not in the way of evil men.”

B. Avoid Wickedness

Proverbs 4:15–17 “Avoid it, pass not by it, Turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.”

C. Walk in the Light

Proverbs 4:18–19 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.”

What to do with Righteousness

A. Obey the Word

Proverbs 4:20 “My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.”

B. Memorize the Word

Proverbs 4:21–22 “Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.”

C. Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23–27 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.”