Chapter 4 of Proverbs reminds us of the importance of biblical parenting. We are instructed as parents to pass on what we have already learned in the Proverbs to our children. If we want ourselves to spend eternity in heaven, live in wisdom, and please the Lord; how much more should we want these things for our own children?

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.”

Proverbs 4:1 NIV

There is a plea from God in this chapter that we do not forget wisdom and do pass it on to our children. This is similar to how our earthly parents repeat themselves over and over again in order to ingrain something into us. God knows if we hear something once, even from him, we won’t listen; but, we need to be reminded of simple truths repeatedly. More importantly, don’t just hear them but put the words into practice in our daily lives.

The final verses in the chapter instruct us to not set our feet on the path of the wicked, or we will be ensnared into a life full of wickedness and violence, among other things. The author asks that the readers pay attention and turn their ears to his words. In order to conquer the evil temptations of this world, we need to keep his words in our hearts. That is the only way to be equipped to defeat evil in your life.

Verse 24 instructs us to keep perverted and corrupt speech out of our mouths. This is something I never picked up on before reading through Proverbs. It is later echoed by Paul in Colossians and Ephesians when he also instructs the Christian church to get rid of obscene talk and dirty language.

“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.”

Colossians 3:8 NLT

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Proverbs 4:18-19 NIV