Proverbs 19:27 – “Cease [stop; forego; quit; refrain], my son, to hear [hearken; obey; give heed] the instruction [doctrine; discipline] that causeth to err [mislead; go astray; wander; swerve; go astray] from the words [sayings; speeches] of knowledge [truth; i.e. knowledge of good and evil].”
In today’s devotional proverb the king admonishes his son to be discerning and refuse to hear or heed doctrine and instruction contrary to the truths instilled in him from his youth. That challenge exposes one of the great failures of parents in our generation… the majority of parents have neglected their responsibility to teach and instruct their children. Make no mistake: Parents bear the burden and responsibility of teaching and directing the education of their children.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…”
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 – “18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul… 19 And ye shall teach them your children…”
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go [in keeping with his bent]: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Parents have not only failed their children, but many sons and daughters have failed to heed Solomon’s caution to his son: Don’t entertain the instruction of teachers whose doctrine and philosophy are contrary to the principles of God’s Word! There are a few “bright lights” in our secular education system; however, the overall philosophy of America’s public education is profoundly atheistic. Some will argue with my conclusion and dismiss my concerns, but the reality is no instruction takes place in an amoral vacuum. The very nature of teaching places the instructor in front of students as both their guide and model. In fact, the influence of a teacher is great enough that we read in James 3:1, “My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation [because teachers are judged by a higher standard].”
Many Christian youth have become spiritual shipwrecks because they sat under instructors who impressed them with their intellect and lofty ideals, but who were in fact the Bible definition of a fool: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).
A closing note to Christians parents: Godly parents deferring the responsibility of directing the education of their sons and daughters to so-called “professionals” has been one of the catalysts contributing to the failure of our public education system in the United States and the moral decay of our homes, communities and nation. If politicians and liberal educators are able to institute “Common Core” throughout our school system, the federal government’s seizure of public education will be complete and will sound the death knell of any hope of parents and local communities having any say in their children’s education.
If interested, I have written a brochure on “Common Core” and the ideology of its promoters. You can request a copy of the brochure at: info@hillsdalebaptist.org.
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith