My God-fearing grandparents had a positive influence on training my parents. My parents then used what they had learned to train me. I am very grateful for the part that my God-fearing grandparents had in my upbringing.

In our text this evening, Solomon was instructing his son as he had been instructed by his father. Grandfather David’s advice was now having an impact on Solomon’s children.

Transition

Notice with me that Solomon relays to his son six principles that he learned from his father David. God wants to use these principles to Fortify Your Family.

Hold Tightly What You Have Been Taught

  1. The word “taught” is interesting.
    1. It literally means to throw or cast. It describes “a throwing of the finger to show a direction to walk or live.” Hebrew Lexicon
    2. Fathers, you have a duty to point your children in God’s direction. You do this first with your life and then with your lips. Teach them the Bible. Teach them character. Teach them honesty. Teach them to work. Teach them skills. Teach them modesty and purity.
  2. The word “retain” means to grasp, or hold tightly.
    1. Children, you must hold the words of your parents tightly in your hearts. Do not let it go in one ear and out the other.
    2. The words and teachings of your parents are very important for your future life. Grasp them tightly. Cherish them. Keep them in your inmost heart!

Guard and Obey Parental Commands

  1. The word “keep” has the dual meaning of obeying and guarding.
  2. Children must obey parental commands. Sometimes it will not seem like it, but your parents really are wiser than you. They can see dangers you cannot see. When they give you a command that you do not like, obey it anyway. That is the right thing to do. (Colossians 3:20) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
  3. Children must guard parental commands. To guard something means to keep it protected. Do not let anyone steel it. The world, the flesh, and the devil will try to steal your purity and your honesty. Guard them carefully. The world, the flesh, and the devil will try to harm your faith and your character. Protect them passionately.

Get Wisdom (4:5)

  1. We basically know what the word “get” means. It means to acquire, buy, get, or obtain something.
    1. Children, do not be lazy. God gives wisdom (Pr 2:6), so get wisdom from God. Study the Bible for it. Pray for it. Seek and search for it. Listen for it in preaching.
    2. When you parents speak to you, look for the wisdom of their words. Catch their wisdom. Do your best to apply it to your own life. Start when you are young.
  2. The word “wisdom” refers to skill, wisdom, or prudence.
    1. Wisdom is the most common topic in the book of Proverbs. It is mentioned in 119 verses in this book. In those verses Solomon used twelve different Hebrew words, yet each of them has a similar meaning.
    2. You need skill and prudence (carefulness, practical direction). You need wisdom to do your school studies. You need wisdom to make right choices in life. You need wisdom to use your money properly. You need wisdom to know what God wants you to do in life. Get Wisdom!

Get Understanding (4:5)

  1. Understanding is a little different from wisdom. It describes discernment. This is the ability to tell the difference between two things.
  2. You will need understanding or discernment to tell the difference between right and wrong. Sometimes it is obvious, but many times it is not easy to see the difference. There are many “grey” areas in life. They are difficult to tell if they are right or wrong. Dressing modestly requires this discernment. Watching videos and listening to music require discernment. Even some “Christian” videos and music can be harmful to you. You need discernment in diet choices. You need discernment in choosing friends, especially when you get old enough to look for a spouse.
    1. The better you know the Bible, the more discerning you will become.
    2. The better you know God, the more discerning you will become.
    3. If you have godly parents, listening to them will increase your discernment.
  3. Get Understanding!

Do Not Turn Away From Wisdom and Understanding (4:5)

These two qualities work hand-in-hand as your friends.

  1. Do not forget them.
    1. We understand the word “forget”. It means to stop remembering. It also can mean to ignore or stop caring for.
    2. Children, you must not ignore or stop caring about wisdom. It is much more important than you realize. Do not ignore the wise things your parents teach you. Do not ignore what you read in the Bible and hear preached.
  2. Do not decline from them.
    1. The word “decline” means to stretch out. In this context, it means that you must not stretch out away from wisdom. You must not pull away from biblical wisdom as a dog pulls at the end of his chain.
    2. The words of your parents are your friend not your foe.
  3. Do not forsake them (4:6).
    1. The word “forsake” means to leave behind, to abandon. Sometimes we see old cars that are abandoned in the bush. The owner forsook the car. They no longer want it.
    2. God commands children not to forsake wisdom. If you leave wisdom, you automatically follow foolishness. Foolishness will lead you away from God, away from right, away from safety, and away from happiness.

Love Wisdom and Understanding (4:6)

  1. Learn to love wisdom and understanding.
    1. We spend lots of time with things we love.
    2. We think much about things we love.
    3. We learn all we can about things we love.
    4. We cherish things we love.
  2. Solomon tells us that if we love wisdom, she will keep us.
    1. The word “keep” is that word which means to guard and protect.
    2. Wisdom and her close companion understanding work as a team to guard and protect us. The closer we stay to her, the more protection we will receive from her.
    3. Libby, our dog, is our protection from thieves. To protect our house, we do not tie her in the back corner of our yard. She sleeps close to our doors. She could not protect our home very well while tied up in the back corner. The same is true about wisdom. You need her close to you for protection.

Conclusion

Parents, much of this message has targeted the children, but you must never forget that it is your God-given duty to teach your children. You are the ones who point the finger in the right direction. You must give biblical commands. You must open the Bible and show your children how to get God’s wisdom and understanding. You must daily live it before them.

Children, note again the six principles we have studied this evening. Do you hold tightly the things you are taught? Do you guard and obey your parent’s commands? Are you actively seeking wisdom and understanding? Do you love them? Ask God to make these principles part of your daily life. Write them down and think much about them.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Grandfather’s Advice
31 January 2016 PM – Proverbs 4:3-6 – Fortifying the Family – Scott Childs