A Wise Child Will Hear His Parents Instruction

Proverbs 23:12–23
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It is only when the heart is ready to receive instruction, and the ear is ready to hear that a person will grow in his spiritual life (v. 12). There is a big differ­ence between reading the Bible (or hearing it explained) and meditating upon it. That is why so many people never grow much in their Christian lives. Children need both verbal and physical correction. Just words and threatening will never produce an obedient spirit. One of the biggest mistakes many par­ents make is hollering at their children rather than using the rod (v. 13). Following this Biblical principle of discipline is of great value to the child and will spare him from the ruin that is bound to accompany the undisciplined life (v. 14). The joy of a parent whose child has learned from parental discipline is inexpres­sible (vv. 15-16).

Envying sinners (Ps. 37:1) and wanting to do what they do is senseless because they have no hope (vv. 17-18). The immediate pleasure of sin cannot be compared with the ultimate hope associated with the fear of the Lord. By listening and heeding his father’s instruction and desiring the right path, a son is wise (vv. 19-21). One way to stay on “the right path” is to avoid drunkenness (Prov. 20:1) and gluttony (Prov. 23:2). These two sins cause drowsiness, which results in laziness and poverty. Heeding parental instruction is repeated often in Proverbs, because of children’s tendency to go their own ways. Wise children will respect their parents when they are “old” (mature) (vv. 22-23).  One of the reasons many children are disrespectful and fail to care for their parents as they grow old is because they were not properly disciplinedwhen they were young. Wise children respect their parents when they are old, and to do otherwise is to disobey the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12).

Application

To follow God’s instruction in this passage concerning the raising of my children I must go against what society is telling me. Our society is telling me not to spank my children and the Bible is telling me what the results will be.