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This “rod” will beat them in the future!

When we are young, we boast of great things. We speak what’s on our minds. We express things we know nothing about. The pride of youthful strength and beauty permeates everything we do. However, in many cases, this comes back to “bite” us in the future. Right now in our nation, we can see how things people said or did in the past have come back to haunt them. In some cases, peoples’ character and legacy have been destroyed by something they said or did in the past. Proverbs 14:3 (NLT) says: “A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.” Your words can become a “rod” that will beat you in the future if you are not careful and discerning. Psalms 141:3 (AMP) says: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].” Especially today, we need to daily pray that prayer. Everything we say is recorded, whether on email, text, video or audio recordings. Be like the wise person who sets a guard over their mouth. It will keep you safe, even in the midst of personal attacks or misunderstandings. Selah!

Proverbs 14:3 (NLT) “A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.”

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Do you care about the next generation?

A good friend of mine told me that his strong disciplines of continual study and reading 1-2 books per month come from the disciplines that his grandmother instilled in him. She would make sure that he daily spent time reading books from various arenas of life. Today, his teachings and messages are always fresh and relevant. He attributes much of his success to his grandmother! The Apostle Paul revealed this about Timothy’s upbringing: “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy went on to be a great leader in his generation. However, it was his mother and grandmother that imparted their faith onto Timothy. If we really love our children, we will not withhold from them the needed disciplines that they will need when they grow up. Disciplines like: love for the word of God, prayer, applying God’s word to their lifestyles, living honestly, honor for their elders and other authority figures, reading and study, going to sleep early and waking up early, etc. If you do this, they will thank you when they grow up. You will be giving them the tools they need to succeed in this complex world.

Proverbs 13:24 – Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.