Proverbs 19:27: Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Insight
Our divine Master gave a similar warning when he told his disciples to beware of false prophets and to be careful about what they heard. All instruction is not positive and does not always promote life. Teachers of evil, who are Satan’s ministers, abound. This instruction is not usually a clear departure from the truth. But, like the first temptation, it causes us to err gradually. We hardly notice that we are deviating from the straight and narrow route until the mischief has caught us. If Eve had at once stopped listening to the serpent, she would not have been led astray from the words of knowledge. But the success of the first attempt has made the seducer more bold to deal out his deadly poison to her weakened children. 1
Application
In 1 Timothy 4:6, Paul instructed Timothy towards fruitful living: “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.”
Noticed the two key actions to take: 1. Nourish (feast on His word continually). 2. Carefully Follow (this means you live the Christian life with purposeful intentions). Will you please consider implementing both of these with far greater frequency?
Motivation
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
If you stop listening to the things of the Lord, you will head south quickly. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, keep my heart tender to Your words, and obedient to Your commands.
1. Bridges, C. (2001). Proverbs. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
