“A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.” (NLT)
“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” (NKJV)
This verse-verse 15, goes hand in hand with verse 6. Young children often do foolish and dangerous things simply because they don’t know any better, or they just don’t understand the consequences. Wisdom and common sense aren’t automatically transferred to a child on the basis of their parents’ good example. Just as God trains and corrects us to make us better, so parents must discipline their children to help them learn the differences between right and wrong. If we go back and look at some earlier proverbs, we will see this principle echoed…
“My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11
“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Proverbs 12: 1
OR we can look at Hebrews 12: 11…
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
“Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.
For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.” Proverbs 22: 22-23
This is a message of hope to people who must live and work under unjust conditions. This is also a warning to those who enjoy ruling with an iron hand. Sometimes God intervenes and directly destroys tyrants. More often, He uses other rulers to overthrow them or their own oppressed people to rebel against them. If you are in a position of authority at church, work, or home, remember what happens to tyrants. Leadership through kindness is more effective and longer lasting than leadership by force.
“Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” Proverbs22: 24-25
You’ve heard that ‘Birds of a feather flock together. I know we talked about this before, but repetition is good… People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time with. Even the negative characteristics and habits can rub off. The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. Choose people with qualities you would like to develop in your own life. I’ll share an example…
In 2001, when I first got saved, I spent a lot of time visiting my spiritual mentor’s house, spending hours talking about my new found faith and other spiritual things. I noticed she had written out some scriptures and taped them to her refrigerator, walls, cabinets… etc. Don’t you know to this day, I do the same thing with scripture. Again, ‘Birds of a feather…
What are some good character traits or habits you have picked up from someone who has made a positive impact on your life?
