WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 09, 2024
TOPIC: OBEDIENT CHILDREN ARE WISE
BY T. O. BANSO
“Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents” (Proverbs 28:7 New Revised Standard Version).
At a time in the lives of the Israelites, everybody did what seemed right in his eyes. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 New King James Version). Judges 21:25 records the same thing. Even long before then, Deuteronomy 12:8 says that the Israelites were doing whatever was right in their eyes. Moses warned them that it would not be so when they arrived in the place of rest that God would give them.
God has instituted human authority to set rules and standards on His behalf for the smooth and proper conduct of human affairs. Children should obey all rules and regulations by civil authorities as long as they do not violate the supreme laws of God. It is in the interest of every child to do so. “Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents” (Proverbs 28:7 New Revised Standard Version). Also, children should not associate with those who deliberately disobey authorities. Such children also disobey God.
Romans 13:1-2 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves” (New King James Version).
Verses 3-5 say further why rulers must be obeyed: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake” (New King James Version).
Obedient children are wise. They obey the Word of God and the laws of society. They obey their parents, older family members, and other authorities outside the family. Proverbs 28:7 says, “Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father” (New King James Version). A child who causes shame to his parents will not excel in life. He will serve other children who obey and bring honour to their parents. Proverbs 17:2 says, “A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share an inheritance among the brothers” (New King James Version).
Children must obey authorities, starting from the home. If children grow up disobeying their parents, they will do the same in school, at work, and in society. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’” (Ephesians 6:1-3 New King James Version).
Also, Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 refer to the law to honour one’s father and mother. Colossians 3:20 says: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (New King James Version).
Children who habitually disobey their parents bring a curse upon themselves; a sorrowful future awaits them if they don’t repent. “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1 King James Version). Only children, who obey the law, will be happy. Those who disobey will suffer the consequences. “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1 New King James Version). Proverbs 29:18 says, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful” (New Living Translation). Disobedient children are saying they are unaccountable to the authorities, and, therefore, unaccountable to God.
Children must learn submission from home and not be allowed to do whatever they like. Children must obey the authorities at home, including their parents and older ones, and authorities outside the family, such as in school, at work, and in society.
1 Peter 2:13-17 says, “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (New King James Version).
Children must be brought up to obey authorities from an early age. As Proverbs 22:6 says, a child must be trained up in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Every child must keep his father’s command, and not forsake the mother’s law (Proverbs 6:20). Obedient children are wise.
Left to children, most of them would want to do what pleases them. They want to do what seems right in their eyes. But this will cause serious problems for them, their families, and society. To avoid this, parents must set standards and teach their children to obey the Word of God and rules set anywhere they find themselves. They should also punish disobedience when necessary. “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15 New King James Version).
Obedient children are wise.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, my children will not be disobedient. They will obey their parents and constituted authorities. They will be wise. I pray that all disobedient children will repent and become obedient in Jesus’ name. They will be wise.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
