The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”Proverbs 1:7

The source of all true knowledge is God. He is the creator of all things. He knows everything about His creation and has taught us the things that we need to know to live in His word, the Bible.

If you want to know how to use a piece of equipment or get information about a new car, the manual, written by the manufacturer is the best source to read. The Bible was given to us by our Creator, the one who knows us the best and who knows what is best for us.

Some doubt that there is a God and others do not obey His word. In turning their back on God, they are turning their back on the true knowledge that could help them learn what the world is really all about and the eternal future of all people. They are fools because, no matter how smart they may be, they will never be satisfied with the knowledge that comes from God, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Yet it is the only knowledge that really matters.

If we read the last several chapters of the book of Job, we understand that God knows about so many things that mankind has only learned in the last 200 years. We also see that God knows about things that we cannot even understand. It is foolish to think that we know more than God and that we do not need to listen to Him.

Profit in Hard Work

“In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23

In all work you do, whether it is a job or your schoolwork, there is some profit as a result of the work. The profit might be money or a good grade. The great profit is the joy of doing a job well and things that you learn that can help you in other work.

Some people do not like to work and they avoid it or do not do their work well. They are only hurting themselves because life is full of work that we must do well. It is best to learn now to do your best in all of your work.

If you parents tell you to clean your room, do your best and they may think you are acting responsible. Have pride in work that has been done well and you will want to do many things well.

Idle chatter, a lot of talk about nothing, does not pay anything. In fact, some people who talk when they should be working lose their jobs. If you are too busy talking about nothing when you should be doing homework, you will get poor grades which may cause problems in the future.

When it is time to work, work your hardest and do your best. When it is time to play, enjoy yourself and relax. Don’t play when you should be working.

The Life of the Unfaithful is Hard

“Good understanding gains favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.”Proverbs 13:15

If you seek wisdom from God’s word, it will help you to live a good life. You will find favor with God and live a wise life.

If you refuse to seek wisdom from God’s word, you will not only suffer eternal punishment if you will not repent, you make your life difficult while living on the earth.

In movies, television shows, and computer games, it seems that you can do all kinds of things that God forbids and nothing will happen to you.

What you see on the TV and movies is not real. Every sin will bring problems for you. Sometimes the problems are not seen. You may feel bad about what you did or shame for your actions. Sometimes people feel bad for a long time about the “fun” they had.
Some people say that the life of a Christian is hard since a person must avoid things that many people do and be careful about his behavior. The person who wants to please God must work and be careful to do what God commands. It is sometimes hard to do the right thing when your friends are doing what is wrong. If you do the right thing, you will feel happier and know that you have chosen the better way. True happiness comes by obeying God.

The devil’s fun is a cheap replacement for the true joy that comes by loving and obeying God.

Choose Friends Carefully

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26

If you want to serve God, the best thing you can do is make friends of people who want to serve God. A person can learn bad language and behavior from someone who is wicked.

Your choice of friends may determine whether you obey God and go to heaven and follow the devil into hell. Friends can help us do good or persuade us to do wrong. Few decisions are as important as choosing the right friends.

When you choose friends carefully you take time to see if they will make a good friend. Someone may go to church with you or claim to love God yet use bad language and disobey God and their parents. You must see how they act and hear how they talk to make sure you choose friends that will help you grow closer to God.

Some may make friends of people who do bad things thinking that they will change them. Usually the good person learns wicked things instead of the bad person learning good.

I had a good friend who made friends with some boys who did bad things. Soon my friend was in trouble with the police because he and his “friends” broke the law.

Be careful!

Obedience and Happy Parents

“A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” Proverbs 10:1

Why do parents want their children to obey? Is it because they like to see people doing what they say? No, they are pleased when their children do what they are supposed to do without being told.

A wise son or daughter, is one who knows what God wants, the parents expect, and what they should do and do it without being told. The parents are happy and proud to see their children making the right choices and behaving well. When they are around other adults, it makes them glad to know that their children will not embarrass them with rude or bad behavior.

A foolish child brings grief to his parents. They are sad because they do not see them making good choices. They may be embarrassed with other adults because they must constantly correct their children.

It is up to you whether you will be a wise or foolish child. You are the only person who can decide to do what is right, to behave even when your parents are not watching, and to make good choices.

Not only will your parents be glad when you do what is right, you will be glad because you will not be punished but rewarded with respect for making good choices.