OK, so I know the old saying is “Oh, my word!”, but simply add an s, and you have the focus for a series of doses we’ll be looking at over the next few days. There is life and death in the power of the tongue and Proverbs has a lot to say about our words – over a hundred verses!
Within the first seven chapters of Proverbs, we read repeatedly how children are to heed, listen to, follow, and cling to the instruction, teaching, and wisdom of their parents. Little ears are listening in so many places and are in desperate need of godly parental guidance.
What are some of the advantages and results listed in the Scriptures for children who observe their parent’s godly advice and instruction? A list from Proverbs includes:
Will be like a crown on your head and a chain of honor around your neck (1:9).
Will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God (2:5).
Will lead to a full life, peace, favor, and good reputation (3:2, 4)
Will be a source of life and health (4:22)
Will lead you, protect you, advise you (6:22).
Will help keep you from sexual temptation (7:24-25)
As parents, our children are hearing, and observing everything we do. Do you carefully consider your speech? Do you use God’s Word to instill correction, as well as direction, comfort, and kindness into their young lives? Will they learn how to biblically respond in confrontational situations by what they hear coming from your mouth?
“But I’m not a mother,” or “I’m an empty nester” you may say. Even so, I bet youngsters in various venues are listening to you. As teachers, instructors, coaches, tutors, and employers, our words speak volumes to today’s youth. Often, we aren’t aware that they are even paying attention. We need to pray for that sense of awareness.
Like the sons in Proverbs, are the young ones in your sphere of influence gaining life and victory due to your teaching? Are they experiencing the incredible benefits of God’s word because they hear it spoken from your lips? Has your wisdom helped steer them to make good choices?
Regardless of what role you may fill – single mom, grandmother, a beloved aunt, a big sister, a submissive wife, or just a friend – your talk can have an eternal impact on the sons and daughters of the next generation. Let your daily prayer flow from verse 14 of Psalm 19: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”
[Digging deeper – Prov. 4:1-5, 6:20-22; 31:26; Eph. 4:29]
Speaking the truth,
Beverly <><
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