be wise Archives – Sonshine's Journal

Jer 21-23 Today we hear many voices. They sound right, legitimate, and pleasant, but are they? One of the challenges we face and the people in Jeremiah’s day faced is discerning whether the messages were from God or not. They had to, and we have to sift between what is true and false. The only difference between the time of Jeremiah and now is that we have the completed Word of God, 🙂 which is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. [2Tim 3:16] The Apostle John’s advice to his flock was to ‘test the spirits to see if they are of God.’ [1Jn 4:1] Ask: Has what he has said in the past come true? Has his life been exemplary?

Long ago, people mostly listened and had to determine if the speaker came from God or not. So God gave them three ways: (1) prophets to speak for God to the people; (2) priests to speak for the people to God and (3) a king to help them adhere to the covenant.

Today, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who speaks to us through the completed Word of God. Therefore, we must know the Word to discern and to do that, we must “store up His Words in our heart” [Ps 119:11] which means we must make every effort to memorize it. It is our reasonable service, as Paul said. [Rom 12:1]

Today as you listen to the many preaching, speaking, and writing, be sure to apply James 1:5 “if deficient in wisdom, ask God.”

Prov 4-7 Parenting Responsibilities

Once a parent, always a parent. It begins before birth and ends only when you, the parent, pass on into eternity. [If you are a grandparent reading this, know that the next generation will also recall your counsel as good or evil.] Just as when Solomon wrote these words long ago, parenting is fraught with the world’s dangers and Satan’s deceptive ways. Therefore, parents must be attentive to the business of teaching discernment [good judgment and insight] and the rewards or consequences of heeding or rejecting a parent’s counsel.

These chapters encourage a parent seeking to raise a child in the way he should go, and Prov 22:6 will repeat that idea. Jesus told the disciples: I am sending you forth into the world, and it is full of wolves. Truth be known, the world has not changed but has gotten progressively worse! Therefore, we must be wise as serpents but also innocent as doves. [Matt 10:16] As the master deceiver, Satan is shrewd and a liar. He is always planning to thwart our children’s way from godliness to ungodliness and for them to reject their parent’s counsel. Therefore, in Prov 4:20-27, he reminds the child that the deceiver knows the way to enter is through the eye, ear, and heart gates. Teach them that they must be on guard, discerning, and make wise choices if they desire God’s blessing.

Pray for parents and grandparents as well for wisdom and discernment. Pray that we have the wisdom to help children to discern both good and evil. [Heb 5:14]Pray we seek wisdom and wise counsel for children because the master deceiver is busier today than ever.

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How to be discerning

Parenting 101