The Fruit of Discipline (Proverbs 22:15)

There is a time for every person to act as a child, but that time ends. As a child gets older, he must be taught how to grow and if he does not learn, then there is another way.

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15, Amplified

There is a big difference between discipline and abuse. The Bible encourages for a child to have discipline so that they may learn the way in which they should live. What would you rather have: a child be hurt temporarily by you out of love of hurt, possibly for the rest of his life, by a bad decision?

The Lord did the same thing to the Jews when they turned away from Him. Read the book of Judges. When the children of Israel fell into idolatry, the Lord brought a Gentile nation to put them under subjection. It was done out of love. We know this because of the outcome of the discipline. Whenever the Israelites had had enough, they turned their hearts back to the Lord.

This is what our discipline on our children should produce. That discipline should produce fruit of change and repentance.

Who Do You Love More (Proverbs 22:14)

There are many different things for a man to fall into, but the worst of all is that of an immoral woman.

"The mouth of loose women is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it." Proverbs 22:14, Amplified

There is not much to elaborate on concerning this verse. It is pretty self explanatory. Who ever the Lord abhors will fall into the mouth of an immoral woman. Her lies and soft words will grad the heart of that man. She will seduce any and all who have not fallen into love with the Lord.

Excuses are Like... (Proverbs 22:13)

It has been a while since I looked into the book of Proverbs. I hate feeling so sick that I cannot get up and read my Bible. This is only an excuse, just like the verse we are about to read today. Everyone has excuses, but it does not make them right.

"The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" Proverbs 22:13, Amplified

This is an obviously strange excuse for any person to use. But I think what Solomon is trying to point out here is that any excuse is almost too extreme. Notice, however, that he qualifies the excuse as being made by a lazy man, or a sluggard. This is a person who has almost perfected the excuse. I know that I have my excuses, I just hope and pray that they never get this extreme.