Listen to Good Counsel

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
From Generation to Generation

Proverbs 4:1-9

The Message

Your Life Is at Stake

 ^1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.
I'm giving you good counsel;
   don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

 ^3-9 When I was a boy at my father's knee,
   the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
   "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!
   Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
   love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
   Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won't regret it;
   never let her go—she'll make your life glorious.
She'll garland your life with grace,
   she'll festoon your days with beauty."

For Reflection
What is good Counsel?  Good counsel is born of wisdom.  All wisdom resides in God.  Therefore, good counsel is that which comes from God.  Good counsel is not selfish.  Good counsel does not demean.  Good counsel does not manipulate one into jeopardy.  Good counsel is that which has as its first interest your best interest.  Good counsel is born out of love. Good counsel uplifts and is never destructive.  Good counsel never needs an excuse to understand its good intent.

Pray
that you will listen wisely for good counsel.  Pray that you will give good counsel to others.  Pray for all those who are seduced by false counsel.  Pray that they may seek wisdom and courage to follow a wise course.