Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Proverbs 20-22:16.
You can read John Piper's sermon on Proverbs 20:15 here. And a sermon on Proverbs 22:6 here.
Scripture
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
Observation
From childhood to adulthood it is imperative to walk the talk, as this is a reflection of what we truly believe.
Application
The way we act shows what we really believe about something. It doesn't matter what we say (to a point of course, the tongue is powerful indeed!), it matters what we do. Believe behaviour.
I can see this verse from two different angles.
First as a challenge to children and to parents of said children - that youth is no excuse for inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour is a reflection of the heart and mind, and we cannot use age as an excuse for sin. Obviously we need to have age appropriate expectations, but often we underestimate our kids ability to understand and their predisposition to sinful attitudes. We need to expect more from our children. In general, kids will rise or fall to our expectation. If we expect little, we will get little. If we expect much (within reason, of course), we will not be disappointed.
Secondly, it is a challenge to adults. If even children are known by their deeds, how much more so adults! We can make no excuse for our sinful behaviour. Our actions show how we really feel, what we really think, what we really believe. We need to walk the talk or our walk will prove us a liar.
And if we want to change our actions, thoughts, beliefs - we need to study the Word. It always comes back to that, doesn't it?
Prayer
Help us Lord to study your Word, to know what it says and then to apply that knowledge to our lives in both word and deed. Help us also to train our children according to this truth, and to expect good choices and behaviour. Help us to recognize that poor choices in behaviour are reflective of areas that need work and training, both in ourselves and in our children. Give us a hunger for your Word, a hunger to grow in knowledge and wisdom, a hunger to become more like You every day. Amen.
Tomorrow's passage: Proverbs 22:17-24:34
1 comment:
It's would be easier some days to say "Oh well, he's only 3 (or whatever)," - but it's important to start holding our children accountable for their own actions from as early as possible. I tell my guys already (at 3 and 5) that by choosing X behaviour THEY chose X consequence... sometimes it feels like they just aren't getting it. This is a good reminder to persevere even when our efforts seem in vain.
When it comes to not taking responsibility for our own actions, I always think of something I heard at Teen Missions boot camp... not taking responsibility for your own actions and admitting to your own mistakes is a sign of immaturity. I think that stood out for me at the time because the LAST thing I wanted was to be considered immature (16 going on 30, you know?). Anyway, it's always stuck with me.
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