Parenting by the Book
STUDY 37
Text: Proverbs 2:12-19
10 March 2002
Dear Parents,
IT’S AN EVIL WORLD OUT THERE
Why do we need to put so much effort and energy in bringing up our children properly? There are many reasons why we should spare no efforts in taking our work of parenting seriously. We have a series of reasons given in this text that should stir up our hearts as we ponder over the work that God has given to us as parents. To summarize it succinctly, “It’s an evil world out there.”
To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things,
From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice in doing evil,
And delight in the perversity of the wicked;
Whose ways are crooked,
And who are devious in their paths…Proverbs 2:12-15
WE HAVE LIVED LONG ENOUGH IN THE WORLD TO RECOGNIZE THE EVIL THAT IS OUT THERE
Look at the words used in this text. Are these words too strong? Those who have lived in the world will recognize the powerful though glaring truths found in these words:-
1. “The way of evil…”
2. “Perverse things…”
3. “The ways of darkness..”
4. “Perversity of the wicked…”
5. “Ways are crooked…”
6. “Devious in their paths…”
Our children may be too young to understand how wicked this world really is. Thus we must guard them well. We must prepare them to live in a very real world that is filled with wickedness!
What is the best way to prepare our children to live in this wicked world of ours? The Scriptures challenge us to teach them wisdom and understanding. Ultimately, they have to decide how they are going to live and survive in this world.
We must not fail to teach them what this world is really like. It is a dog-eat-dog world. It is a tough world. If we do not bring them up on words of discretion and knowledge, we might well fail in the task of parenting.
Let us pray for our children diligently. Let us pray that the Lord would indeed spare them. Let us do our part in teaching them the ways of the Lord.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie