Reading: Proverbs 1:10-19

Andrew, Russell, Luke — listen up, my sons!

Trenton, Trey — you listen as well, my grandsons!

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (10).

I know it takes a worm to entice certains kinds of fish. But other fish aren’t interested in worms; their enticement of choice is bugs. For other fish, a flashy spinner or even a lump of dough will do.

I don’t know what particular evils entice you (or will entice you).

But whatever it is, don’t give in!

Don’t go for the bait — it always hides a hook.

Believe me, the fisherman means you no good. He’s not interested in feeding you. He wants to feed himself. He doesn’t want to entertain you. He’s entertaining himself.

So when evil entices you, don’t lunge for it. Don’t sneak up on it. Don’t even look at it!

Get away!!

When your friends or acquaintances or even family members entice you to do something in a way other than God’s, refuse.

Michayla, Dora, Shari, LaVay — that goes for you, too, my daughters!

Juli — you pay attention as well, my granddaughter!

I know the instruction and warning certainly is for me.

from Proverbs 1:17

A little bit more from Proverbs 1: Bad Company

Reading: Proverbs 1:1-9

Verse eight calls on the child to hear and adhere to the law of the parents.

As a parent, I’m glad to have verses like that in the Bible. But what do I make of the verse that follows?

“For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (9).

Will my rules make my children more attractive?

In living by my laws, will my children become more gracious and graceful and grace-full?

I want my children to value my rules as they would jewels. Then let me make sure that my rules are jewels!

from Proverbs 1:8

A little bit more from Proverbs 1: Knowledge’s Framework