A Wise Child Follows and Loves

Proverbs 6:20-24
20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
   and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21 Keep their words always in your heart.
   Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
   When you sleep, they will protect you.
   When you wake, they will advise you.
23 For their command is a lamp
   and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
   is the way to life.
24 It will keep you from the immoral woman,
   from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.

A wise child considers whose words to follow.

Proverbs 6:24-26
24 It will keep you from the immoral woman,
   from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.
25 Don’t lust for her beauty.
   Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,
   but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
Proverbs 7:1-4
1 Follow my advice, my son;
   always treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands and live!
   Guard my instruction as you guard your own eyes.
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
   Write them deep within your heart.
4 Love wisdom like a sister;
   make insight a beloved member of your family.

A wise child follows wisdom because his loves are in the proper order.

Proverbs 7:6-20
6 While I was at the window of my house,
   looking through the curtain,
7 I saw some naive young men,
   and one in particular who lacked common sense.
8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
   strolling down the path by her house.
9 It was at twilight, in the evening,
   as deep darkness fell.
10 The woman approached him,
   seductively dressed and sly of heart.
11 She was the brash, rebellious type,
   never content to stay at home.
12 She is often in the streets and markets,
   soliciting at every corner.
13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
   and with a brazen look she said,
14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings
   and fulfilled my vows.
15 You’re the one I was looking for!
   I came out to find you, and here you are!
16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets,
   with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
   with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning.
   Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,
19 for my husband is not home.
   He’s away on a long trip.
20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him
   and won’t return until later this month.”

What are your God-given desires or loves?

Proverbs 7:24-27
 24 So listen to me, my sons,
   and pay attention to my words.
25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
   Don’t wander down her wayward path.
26 For she has been the ruin of many;
   many men have been her victims.
 27 Her house is the road to the grave.
   Her bedroom is the den of death.

A wise child guards his heart and his feet to protect his future.

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.