"My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings 21Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. 23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
24Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. 25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. 26Carefully consider the path for your feet,and all your ways will be established. 27Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil." Proverbs 4:20-23 CSB
Today's values appear to be thrown out of many families. Crime, abuse and lack of parental direction seem to be taking over family life and it can only become worse unless, things change for the better. Now, it's unlikely that one individual is going to be able to change this, but, as Christians, we can become a light for them to follow; an example that can begin to lead people onto the straight life.
If we, as Christian people, can begin to live up to God's Word, we will be on the right track to improvement. Firstly, we need to pay attention to God's Word and listen carefully to what this entails, keeping them within our hearts. This will bring a reaction that Solomon writes in verse 22: 'For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.' We begin walking in the Spirit of God and people begin to notice. The big one's that we need to take notice of are mentioned in verse 24 'Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously'. When parents begin to tell lies and scheme against authorities, children listen, and if this is a regular occurrence, they begin to see this as normal and carry this trend on into their own future family.
This includes all of the things that come out of the mouth such as, swearing, judging, criticising and gossiping about things they hear, adding their own variation of a scandal. Gossip is received as the absolute truth and once a picture is painted of someone, belief sets in and this is very difficult to change from thereon.
Christians who work in community based jobs, such as teachers, social workers and nurses, have the opportunity to allow good, strong values to be sewn into a young child's life. I'm not talking about trying to convert them to Christianity or whatever other faith they hold, because, that would not be the right approach to take. It could upset the parents even more, not to mention the authorities. What I mean is, these workers can help teach them good values - something they lack. And if the children see these values in the workers, they are more likely to believe and accept them. Proverbs 22;6 promises:
'Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it'. And this is true, if we can reach a child when they are in early schooling days, and, teach them core values of life in school, they are well-grounded to take this into adulthood.
Of course, one doesn't have to work in the Community services for this to happen. Churches have the opportunity to teach them good values and can also reach parents probably a little easier. But, when you think about it, we all, as Christians, need to adopt this type of lifestyle, don't we?
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
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