Parenting by the Book
STUDY 74
Text: Proverbs 10
24 November 2002
Dear Parents,
A LIFE MARKED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS
We have a good working comprehension of what it means to cultivate a life of righteousness! It is now up to us to be challenged to cultivate a life marked by righteousness. How may we do this?
1. Identifying MARKERS
It is important that we learn how to have identifying markers. One of the most obvious marker in Proverbs 10 is with reference to the TONGUE.
We are surely reminded of the passage in the Book of James concerning the tongue. James warns us about the danger of the abuse of the tongue.
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.
The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles
the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature;
And it is set on fire by hell…
But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil,
Full of deadly poison.James 3:5-6, 8
2. The Power of a Righteous Life
What is the power of a righteous life? Proverbs 10 challenges us to consider the possibility of a righteous life sanctifying even the tongue! The otherwise untamable tongue is brought under control when a person lives a righteous life!
There is every encouragement to cultivate a life of righteousness. The promise of blessing from the Lord should be enough to motivate us to attempt to live a righteous life.
IT IS NOT EASY TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY
Be prepared for a difficult time. It is not easy to live a life marked by righteousness! We will have to do everything we can to cultivate this life of righteousness, on a daily basis!
a) Determine that you want to live righteously.
b) Seek the Lord in prayer for His grace and strength.
c) Practise living a life of righteousness diligently.
d) Remember the sorrows that attend the wicked lifestyle.
If we are diligent, we will be able to cultivate a life of righteousness indeed! Set the example of having a righteous lifestyle in your effort to bring up your children.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie