Proverbs 4

My son, give attention to my words; ​​Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; ​​Keep them in the midst of your heart; ​​For they are life to those who find them, ​​And health to all their flesh.

Proverbs 4:20 – 22

Have you ever given someone godly advice, but they chose not to take it? Here is a father encouraging his children to hear what he is telling them. Many times our children don’t want to listen to the advice of their parents because they think their parents are too out of touch with their world to understand what they’re going through. It isn’t until the children grow up when they realize that their parents were giving them good advice. For some children, they have to learn many hard lessons on their own before they begin to listen.

I was one of those kids…always learning the hard way. But as we see in this proverb, if we listen and adhere to the good advice, they are life and health to our flesh. We can’t force someone to take good advice, but we can encourage them with the Scriptures God has given us.

And while we are taking the opportunity to give good advice, we should also set the example by FOLLOWING good advice…the wisdom that Scripture offers. When we are applying the word of God to our own lives, it will be easier for us to offer advice, and then give our testimony of how it has benefited us in the past. Even if they don’t listen, we still have the blessing of walking in the wisdom of God ourselves, knowing it keeps us in the center of His will.