Good Advice for the King’s Sons

 

One of the duties of fatherhood is to warn children away from things which will harm them.  We begin with the simple prohibition “No, No,” when the little hand first reaches for the wall plug or the sharp object.  Later on, we advance reasons for why we deny some request.  As our young mature we have to warn them of dangers which are not so tangible, such as the influences of the wrong type of people.

God our Father does the same sort of thing to us.  In the First chapter of Proverbs, Solomon is advising his son to warn him away from evil entanglements.  We ought to take the advice for ourselves.  As the sons and daughters of the Great King let us heed His warning to turn away from those who would tempt us to evildoing.  One good reason why we should hearken to these words is that we are the children of the Great King.  He calls us His “sons.”  Our noble heritage, our royal standing, our high privileges, our honourable name, all of which are ours on the basis of the merits of Christ our elder Brother, argue forcible for our refusing enticements to sin.

Because we are the sons of God by adoption we will be the special targets of Satan and his minions. They will seek to bring reproach to the Name of Christ by gaining our complicity in some evil work. They will offer to make us partners with them, will swear their allegiance and promise their approval, but it is all to no good end.  Our Father the King knows the dangers of all these things. Christ our Brother has endured the greatest of temptations from the most artful of tempters. Therefore He gives to us the best advice, “My son, if sinners entice thee consent thou not.”  He goes on to add in verse fifteen that we ought to even refuse to abide in their company or to walk on their path with them. Perhaps you have found that temptation has come your way, and even now you are turning over the offer of some sinner who is inviting you into some evil enterprise.  Listen to good advice from your Heavenly Father and “consent thou not.  “No” is a powerful word.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice