Listen Carefully
Sometimes when I am talking to my children they do not want to hear what I have to say. I know you are shocked by that confession. After all, I’m the pastor and my children are perfect! Thankfully, I’m not the only parent to experience this. Solomon must have known something about this because of what he wrote in Proverbs 19:27.
The book of Proverbs is written as a conversation between Solomon and his son. Proverbs 19:27 says “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” If a son ignores his father’s instructions, he will do so to his own detriment. If a son ignores his father’s instructions, his safety might be jeopardized, or his health and well-being might be at risk. If a son ignores his father’s instructions he could make a costly mistake. Fathers, even imperfect fathers, love their children and do not wish to see harm come to them. How much more is this the case with our Heavenly Father?
Solomon’s warning applies not just to sons but to every Christ follower. If we cease to listen to God’s Word we will begin to stray from God’s will.
You could say it like this: Stop listening, start straying. .
This applies to the new Christian or the seasoned saint. In fact, the longer you have been a Christian, the more crucial this instruction is.
When Christians fall into sin you can guarantee that somewhere, somehow, part of the reason is that we have stopped listening to God’s Word. It may not mean we have dropped out of church. It may be that we tell ourselves “I’ve already heard that sermon before.” “I already know this.” Regardless of how persuasive or spiritual our defense might sound, our attitude says, “I don’t need to listen to this.” That’s a dangerous place to be with God’s Word. Instead, let’s desire to hear what God has to say to us. Let’s be diligent to continually put God’s Word before us.
How can we do this? Here are a few practical steps we can take. First, make attendance in your local church a priority. Listening to a sermon is the easiest way I’ve found to take God’s Word into my life (and yes, even as a pastor, I listen to sermons). Second, join a Bible study group. This could be a Sunday school class of home group or some other gathering where God’s Word is opened. The community aspect of this allows you to ask questions and interact with others, helping you apply God’s word practically. Finally, make a plan to read God’s Word daily. Even if you only take five minutes, open God’s Word. Read a proverb. If you need a Bible reading plan, here is a link to a few helpful plans: https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans/#:~:text=The%20Book-at-a-Time%20Bible%20reading%20plan%20takes%20you%20through,a%20chapter%20of%20the%20wisdom%20literature%20and%20Isaiah.