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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 183

STUDY 183

Text: Proverbs 17
26 December 2004

Dear Parents,

THE KIND OF CHILDREN WE WILL HAVE
We can speak of our children in two ways. Firstly, we may think of them as our children biologically. Secondly, we may speak of our children by way of bringing them up. The following text speaks of the latter.

He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:20-21

1. The biological factor is not in purview here

No child is born “a scoffer” or “a fool.” Thus the above text cannot be read as making a reference to biological factor.

2. Children can grow up wrongly!

We have a number of wrong and undesirable ways in which children can end up.

a) Having a deceitful heart

Unless children are taught to love truth and honesty, they can end up with a deceitful heart.

b) Having a perverse tongue

Unless children are taught to love speaking the truth, they can end up having a perverse tongue.

c) Children can end up as scoffers

Children can learn either good or bad things. If they learn the wrong things, they will end up scoffing at that which is good and true!

d) Children can end up as “fools”

If children are not taught how to love knowledge and truth, they can end up “devoid of understanding.” This phrase well describes the person called the “fool.”

THE FATHER OF THE FOOL
The blame is leveled at “the father” (“parents”)! The book of Deuteronomy well describes the task that fathers have been entrusted with.

You shall teach them diligently to your children…

Deuteronomy 6:7

If we do not teach our children diligently, we have no one to blame but ourselves!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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