Parenting by the Book
STUDY 136
Text: Proverbs 15
1 February 2004
Dear Parents,
AN INTRIGUING OBSERVATION – “FEEDING ON FOOLISHNESS”
We come across a very fascinating thought in the following text from the Book of Proverbs.
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.Proverbs 15:14
Let us ponder this thought – “The mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.” Foolishness is compared to knowledge in the text. The wise who has understanding will feed on good and true knowledge. But what is this thing that the mouth of fools feeds on?
1. Knowledge is either wholesome or bad. But bad knowledge is still knowledge. Fools feed on “bad knowledge”.
a) Fools feed on unimportant things, essentially “trivia”.
b) They feed on things that do not generate a deeper understanding and appreciation of true knowledge
c) They enjoy feeding on unimportant trivia. They thrive on it.
2. Watch out for the “knowledge diet” children feed on
a) Bad knowledge can appear most attractive to children
b) They can be hooked on foolish knowledge
c) They can end up casting away good and sound knowledge.
3. Why is bad knowledge so attractive?
a) It appeals to the person inclined towards laziness. The lazy person will enjoy trivia! It occupies time but little is done at the end of the day.
b) It is highly addictive. Consider the matter of watching TV.
i) Watching TV can be addictive
ii) Hours are spent glued to the TV set.
iii) Hardly anything good and constructive is done.
iv) After a while, there is no life outside watching the telly.
v) There is little or no love for anything that seems too hard to handle.
Be on the alert concerning what your children feed on!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie