Good Children (Proverbs 19:26)

It is important for us to be good children to our parents, no matter how old we are.

"He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach." Proverbs 19:26, Amplified

This again is one of those verses that really needs to exposition. It is as plain as day. Be good to your parents. If we are not good to our parents then we bring shame and reproach. I know that there was a time when my parents and I didn't get along. Just realize that it is never too late to reconcile. My father and I became closer even though throughout my life I could not stand the man. The Lord allowed me to see him for the man he truly was. As my father lay on his death bed, all the shame and reproach I brought were gone.

The Foolish Son (Proverbs 17:25)

When a child acts inappropriately, he not only damages his reputation but also the reputations of his parents.

"A self-confident and foolish son is grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him." Proverbs 17:25, Amplified

There almost seems to be no need for explanation here. By reading the verse, one can come their own logical conclusion as to what the verse is saying. By acting like a fool, disgrace is brought upon the parents of that fool. I know that as I while I was a young man, I did not pretty vile and foolish things that brought some shame upon the heads of my mother and father. I am just glad that I had the opportunity to rectify my life and relationship with my father before his passing and be the son that he wanted me to be. A son that he could be proud of.

Measuring Up (Proverbs 13:15-16)

Knowledge is good. To have it is to also have understanding. Understanding brings a happier and healthier life.

"Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard [like the barren, dry soil or the impassable swamp]." Proverbs 13:15, Amplified

I like how the Amplified Version delivers this verse. I calls the way of the transgressor like barren, dry soil or an impassable swamp. There is either not enough moisture, or there is too much. In other words, there is no moderation. The thing a child of God has going for him, is that the Lord guides him in his daily life. He has a governor telling him when it is too much or too little. The child of the world has no one guide him and must rely on his own instinct and understanding. The one problem is that he has nothing to measure himself up against other than the world.

"Every prudent man deals with knowledge, but a [self-confident] fool exposes and flaunts his folly." Proverbs 13:16, Amplified

This is the problem of not having anything real to measure yourself up against. For the Christian, there is God and the Bible. For the man of the world, there is only others from the world. You will never be able to draw a 12" line with a ruler that is only 10". You will fall short every time. The Bible is our measuring stick. To ignore it's contents is to ignore knowledge and expose shame.