In Proverbs 2:21-22, we find something known in Wisdom Literature as the Doctrine of the Two Ways. That is (1) the way of the righteous contrasted with (2) the way of the wicked, or evil. These two are constantly placed against each other all throughout Proverbs ~ all throughout Wisdom Literature, really. An overarching theme of Proverbs is the wisdom that is passed down, intentionally, from generation to generation so that children may learn to walk in the way of the righteous and avoid the way of the wicked.

In Proverbs, the wisdom of the world is described as a harlot, a prostitute, that stands in the streets and calls unto those passers-by who might be led astray (See Proverbs 7:10ff).  In contrast, the wisdom that comes from God is depicted as giving long life, the bringing of blessing, and as having infinite value.   Numerous examples could be made of each of these three previous depictions, I have chosen just one of each that explicitly makes the point.

I have to wonder how this affects our ministry as Pastors, Teachers, and especially fathers?  Often in our preaching and teaching, we are often concerned with dealing with either how to live the Christian life that God demands, or how not to live that life.  Very rarely do we cross the two together in the same sermon, even less when we  consider doing this in the same point of a sermon.  As fathers, do we teach our children how not to walk the way of the wicked, but leave them guessing concerning the way of the righteous?

May this exhortation from the book of Proverbs make us wise in our preaching.  May this encourage our hearts as fathers to lead our children in the way of the righteousness and in avoidance of the way of the wicked.  This Sunday, don’t just tell your people what sin looks like, show them what a redeemed life living “in a manner worthy of the calling” looks like.

Attempting to walk the way of the righteous with each of you…