Proverbs 23:12:
12Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.
The word "apply" is the Hebrew word, "bow`", which means: to enter, to come upon, to light upon, to attack, to attain to, to cause to come in. We are to actively go after "instruction", the Hebrew word, "muwcar", which means: discipline, chastening, correction! When was the last time you actually said, "Here I am Lord, CORRECT and CHASTEN me? Most of us wouldn't think of doing that, but that is what this verse is saying! Go HARD after the correction of the Lord. He will correct you with His Word so that you can change YOUR thinking to agree with HIM (repentance). Once we get our "head on straight", then we can move on to going hard after "knowledge", the Hebrew word, "da`ath", which means: knowledge, perception, skill, discernment, understanding and wisdom! THAT is how we grow up in the things of God!
Ephesians 6 is filled with great instruction and we won't even try to cover it all here. Verses 1-3:
1CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. 2Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise-- 3That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
Children are to obey their parents IN THE LORD! When parents tell their children to do something that lines up with God's Word, then children are to obey them! ALWAYS! Obedience is demanded UNLESS they are asked to do something contrary to the Word of God! Whether they obey or disobey, it MUST be done in an honorable manner! As a child, if your parents ask you to steal something, of course you don't do that! BUT, you RESPECTFULLY disobey! You give them honor because they are your parents. What are the results of being a "DOER" of this Word? ALL will be well with them and they will live long on the earth!
Then verse 4 is equally as important!
4Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.
I have seen many parents relentlessly badger their children just to get a response out of them, and then punish them when the response is not one they like. This verse tells us exactly how God expects parents to behave towards their children!
One of the things I have found interesting in reading about King David this year is the many times he tried to be a blessing to others, only to have them turn on him. He tried hard to believe the best of every person, which is walking in the God kind of love! (1 Corinthians 13:7 Amplified). The Lord always delivered David. You would think that these nations would get the message that David was favored and protected by God and want to get on the right side! Amazing, but no longer surprising!
Shalom in Him
