Introduction

Good morning! We begin our study of Proverbs chapter 4, which is not so easy to expound. I must confess that I am not a very wise person. Therefore, as I share with you, I reflect on myself, and I am reminded of the cases I have pastored. I would like to title the theme of Proverbs chapter 4, Those Who Hold Fast to Instruction Are Wise! Holding fast to instruction is very important. Instruction is not a pleasant word; instruction is teaching, it is me lecturing you. If you were lectured by a teacher, how would you feel? Why do people need to be lectured? Have you ever considered that a person who can be instructed must be a wise person?

We must hold fast to wisdom, but interpreting wisdom is indeed too difficult! You will find that the author never really talks about wisdom from beginning to end. To be precise, it seems like he talks about it and yet he doesn't. It is difficult to put you must have wisdom into practice. We must first figure out what is wisdom? It is the ability to be instructed and to hold fast to instruction. Solomon writes in Proverbs chapter 4:

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. (Proverbs 4:1-3)

I wonder how many parents really want to harm their children? Very few, especially wise parents, would harm their children. But are there parents who harm their own children? Yes, absolutely. The author of Proverbs chapter 4 is Solomon, the son of David. He listened to David's words, but David also had many scoundrel sons who did not listen to him, including Absalom and Adonijah. If you read the Bible carefully, you will find that there are those who listen to their father's instructions and those who do not. Especially children born in David's house or in Abraham's house.

I find this very interesting. In my observation, those who cannot be disciplined from a young age grow up to be foolish people. Everyone must think carefully: In the church, those who cannot be disciplined and cannot be taught are foolish people. I must tell everyone what we should do with those who cannot be disciplined and cannot be taught. To those who show their fangs and want to bite people as soon as I say a few words, I would say: What do I gain by disciplining you? Think about it carefully, I don't gain anything from you, but being unable to be disciplined is foolishness.

Later, I carefully observed the cases I pastored. Those who cannot be disciplined by their parents are very dangerous. If a person cannot be disciplined by their parents, let alone me, who is not their parent! But I thank God for giving me the intelligence and wisdom to know how to teach these people, so that they gradually become able to be disciplined. Because I tell them how to be wise, so those who can be disciplined and hold fast to instruction are wise.

Wise People Don't Argue with Their Parents

What is wisdom? Being able to hold fast to instruction is wisdom. If a person is ruined as soon as they are disciplined as a child, saying, What's wrong? Are you still my father? Are you my stepfather, my stepmother? Then parents who don't know how to be parents will say: Why didn't I strangle you earlier? I raised you, but you show me your teeth and say such nonsense, it's really heartbreaking! Brothers and sisters, what is wisdom? The author of Proverbs chapter 4 says:

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. (Proverbs 4:1-3)

This sentence is very important! If you argue with your father and mother, you should think about whether you were raised by your parents with a lot of effort. Could you earn money from a young age? No, even when you are quite old, you can't earn money, and they have been supporting you all the time, so what are you arguing with your parents about? Later I found that those who argue with their parents are very foolish people. What I said is like hitting a boat with a pole, knocking down half the people on the boat. If what I said happens to be you, I can only say sorry to you, this pole is hitting you. Why? Because that's called foolishness. No parents in the world want to raise a foolish child, really no!

My parents didn't have much education. They both came from begging backgrounds. Where could they learn? When my mother was four years old, her father died; when my father was nine years old, his mother died. One lacked a father, and the other lacked a mother. How could they have much upbringing? When my father was nine years old, he herded cattle for others. I admire him quite a bit. Everyone must not discern good and evil, because I think they are really good. If you think your parents are not good, whether they are really good is another matter, because that is your opinion. I think my parents are good.

When my father was herding cattle, he heard people teaching children to read in the house. He put the cattle there and squatted outside the window to listen. My father longed to go to school since he was a child, but no one provided him with education. Later, my parents said to us children, we will sell everything to provide you with education. This is absolutely true. We do housework but it does not affect our studies. Among our siblings, I am a child who is a son to my father and cherished by my mother. Brothers and sisters, if your father likes you and your mother likes you, that is called wisdom! Don't be confused.

If your father doesn't like you and your mother doesn't like you, you have to ask yourself what happened. Were you born white and chubby, like a doll, and your parents didn't like you? No such thing. It's all because you grew up to be an ingrate. As soon as your parents speak, you don't listen, you don't hold fast to instruction, so you grow up to be a rebellious child. In fact, whoever raises such a child is unlucky, but the most unlucky is the rebellious child himself.

I heard a saying since I was a child: Even tigers don't eat their cubs. Even though tigers are very reclusive beasts, they have never been seen eating their own children. Actually, what do they know in the animal world? They don't know anything, but they put in a lot of effort to take care of their children. Can everyone understand? Animals with this much intelligence are still like this. What about people? Your parents are definitely stronger than tigers, and they will definitely take good care of their children. Otherwise, if they were eaten as soon as they were born, that would be a fresh meal.

Why were you kept? It is hoped that you will be able to hold fast to instruction when you grow up. No matter how patriarchal or unknowledgeable parents are, they did raise you with a lot of effort. You still think they are patriarchal, is your brain filled with water, are you sick? Therefore, we are very good at picking on our parents' faults! Why don't you do the math? Who supported you in those years when you couldn't support yourself from childhood to adulthood? It's your parents. Of course, parents also have many faults. If you can pick out faults, it only means that you are a rebellious child.

Wise People Can Handle Relationships with Their Parents

I think we should all learn to be wise people. Wise people will first get along well with their parents: For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. (Proverbs 4:3) The relationship between people is cultivated. I once pastored some people, and as soon as they opened their mouths, they said that my mother is not good, and my father is not good. Listening to it, I was influenced and believed it. But when I went home, I slowly thought about it, this kid is quite rogue! Is what he said true? No, the fact is that he doesn't know how to handle relationships; he's just talking nonsense.

Why does my mother like me and my father love me? It's not because I'm the eldest son in the family. It's not to say that all eldest sons have a good relationship with their parents, but I never cause trouble for my parents, and I never talk back to my parents. If my parents lectured me, I immediately said: I will change, I will change, I will change quickly. When I was old, I realized that this is wisdom. When my parents took me out, people praised me: This child is so good and so cute! Because I am not naughty and I don't cause trouble. I never sit on the ground and cry, wanting this and wanting that, and if I don't get it, I will never give up. There is no such thing. If you ask me how I was so sensible since I was a child? I don't know, what kind of person has what kind of life. So my parents like me very much, and I suffer less, and my parents also suffer less.

If you raise a rebellious child, and they say something back to you when they have nothing to do, aren't you upset? Although parents are not perfect, they are parents! Therefore, holding fast to instruction is very important wisdom. Those children who hate their parents must know that even if the parents' teaching methods are not appropriate, they only contribute 40%, but you, the rebellious child, contribute 60%, you know? Don't be stupid! Start being a wise person who holds fast to instruction.

The pastor cares for the flock with the heart of a father and mother, but the heart is often broken and becomes a honeycomb briquette. Has everyone seen honeycomb briquettes? My heart is like a honeycomb briquette, full of holes. But thank God, my healing ability is good! I comfort myself, and God also comforts me. I often say: God, may you remember me and be gracious to me. On the road of pastoring, if I serve and pastor a hundred people with all my heart, at least ninety of them are ingrates, sometimes even more. But it doesn't matter, I remember the teachings of my father and mother. Although my parents didn't teach me much knowledge, my Heavenly Father, the God who created the universe, taught me a lot!

After I read the Bible, I worked hard to uphold it. Later, my heart was repaired, not full of holes, not like a honeycomb briquette, because God's words comforted me, and I did not discern good and evil. I thought these were all good. You can think carefully, on the road of a person's life, whether you are hurt or full of holes, it is your own choice. Why do you choose to be full of holes? Why do we have to be hurt? If we choose to benefit from these things, then we will gain real benefits. Although my heart is full of holes, now the holes are blocked!

Therefore, people must learn to be wise people on the road of life. Does everyone now know how to put into practice what I said about wisdom? Put it into practice? Are there children who have a bad relationship with their parents? Yes. Are there parents who are indeed scoundrels? Yes, a lot. But we don't care what others are, we care about being a wise person. If you are not a wise person, then tear each other apart with your parents! But what can be torn out if you tear each other apart? Why be hurt because of your parents? Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.(Proverbs 4:23). Thank God for recording this passage in the Bible. In David's house, Solomon listened to David's words, and others did not listen to David's words. Finally, Solomon inherited David's throne.

Hold firmly to instruction. First, learn to listen to your father's teachings, then be a filial son in your father's eyes and a unique darling in your mother's eyes. Listen to your father's instruction. If your father disciplines and teaches you, and you think, Is he a stepfather? Even a biological father can be made to seem like a stepfather by you! In reality, many biological fathers end up acting like stepfathers after repeated interactions; and many stepfathers end up acting like biological fathers, even closer than a biological father. Let me say a little, do parents, especially worldly parents, have their own selfish intentions? Yes! They expect you to support them in their old age, but when they raise you, they give themselves entirely.

There are so many stories in this world. We have a sister among us, because her mother gave birth to her as a girl, and a foolish child at that, put her in a cardboard box in the middle of the street in the dead of winter, waiting for her to freeze to death. As a result, a cyclist saw a child in the box and took her home. Later, this child grew up and shared her story with us. After hearing her story, I thought her parents were really cruel! Her adoptive parents were truly saviors! Later, this sister asked me if she should find her biological parents. You also think about it, should she or shouldn't she?

Some say they don't know, some say it's necessary, some say it doesn't matter, and some say for God's sake, yes. But why? Why not? What a sentiment! I myself am very sentimental! This time everyone has given me a difficult problem, and I have also given myself a difficult problem, but I want to ask everyone: Why do you need so many parents? I think it is enough for her to properly show filial piety to her adoptive parents, don't bother with so many! Some time ago, a child committed suicide because he wanted to recognize his parents, but his parents did not accept him. I think being smart and having wisdom is a crucial topic. Actually, this is not a question of whether to recognize them or not, but what are you going to do after you recognize them? Are you going to abandon your adoptive parents to one side? You are ruthless enough. I encourage everyone not to bother with so much, it's upsetting after all. No matter who raised you, you must be a filial son in your father's eyes and a unique darling in your mother's eyes.

Everyone should develop the good habit of knowing how to relate to others. Actually, it is not easy to get along with one pair of parents, how are you going to get along if you add another pair? I think our physical strength is limited, it is enough to properly show filial piety to the parents who raised you. As for whether to recognize your biological parents or not, this is not important, what is important is to be a wise person, knowing how to handle things. I think no matter how messed up parents are, no parents don't want their children to be well.

We have a mother among us, she is not very wise and is quite considerate of the flesh, but she loves her child very much, which is a matter of course. She wants her child to be well, so when the child plays games at home, she scolds and complains at home. Why scold and complain? Because playing games ruins oneself. But many parents are also very interesting, they play games themselves but don't want their children to play games. In fact, parents all want their children to be successful. Whether they can control themselves or not is another matter. But when they control their children, they definitely use another set of standards. Some mothers shout when they go out: Study hard, study hard! Then they go to play mahjong.

This is really interesting! She has some skills in teaching you how to be a person, as for how she does things herself, you don't need to discern good and evil with her, because what she teaches you is good instruction. We need to know:

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings... Take firm hold of instruction; do not let go. Keep her, for she is your life. (Proverbs 4:10-13)

And he taught me, and said to me, “Let your heart retain my words; keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. (Proverbs 4:4-5)

Summary: Hold Fast to Instruction, Obtain Wisdom and Understanding

If we encounter people in pastoral care who cannot be disciplined, we simply send them away. As for how to send them away, there are many tricks! We just want people to grow up healthily, but there are too many who show their teeth when disciplined. So when ministering to those foolish people, we must be especially careful, it's like walking on thin ice! It's not okay to say it too deeply, and it's not okay to say it too shallowly, what to do? I can only say: God, take me away soon!

Speaking of wisdom, I encourage everyone to hold fast to instruction, do not let go, and keep it firmly! Because it is your life. Whether you can be disciplined represents whether you have wisdom and understanding. Let's think about it carefully, are there many people who cannot be disciplined? Yes! This job is not easy! Why discipline? Because people like perverse paths, like to walk the paths of evil people, like to be selfish, greedy for money, and greedy for profit. People are greedy for money, and if they can't get it, they feel uncomfortable, and after feeling uncomfortable, they get sick, and when they get sick, they come to me for prayer; after I pray for them and they get better, they go greedy for money again, and if they can't get it, they feel uncomfortable again, and after feeling uncomfortable, they get sick again, and when they get sick, they come to me again. Isn't this me giving you the antidote, and you taking poison again? Later I thought, if people don't remove this root of foolishness, even if I pray until I die, he will die with me!

What I mean is that people are born with a very evil nature. If this evil nature cannot be disciplined, it becomes a foolish person; a foolish person becomes a very bad person, and a very bad person becomes a very evil person. Such people can't sleep without doing something bad. They speak perverse and crooked words, distorted words, and then walk evil paths.

For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. (Proverbs 4:16-17)

Therefore, these people will inevitably be punished. They stumble but don't know how they stumbled. I am very sentimental. Some people look very smart. They have become governors and mayors, and they are all high-ranking officials. Why do they have to get so much RMB? How much money can a person spend in a lifetime? In the end, they put themselves in prison in their fifties. From 500 million to 1 billion, there are 500 million more, but how can you spend it? I don't know either. You can buy a ten million sports car, but that thing is flat and short, and sitting in it feels suffocating, like sitting in a toad's belly. When this kind of person suddenly falls, he is still wondering why he fell. Why was I arrested? Is it because this piece was not done correctly, or that piece was not done correctly? If I had done it this way at that time, it would have been better. They don't regret taking an evil path.

I am very surprised why people do not listen to instruction, do not pay attention to God's words, and do not pay attention to God's words. Even if they listen, they don't remember it in their hearts and don't want to get it? Let's talk about it, can 500 million cure cancer? Can 1 billion cure cancer? Can 5 billion cure cancer? Can 50 billion cure cancer? If it can't be cured, it can't be cured. Look at the famous Steve Jobs, how much money he had! But no amount of money can fix it. Since it can't be fixed, why do you want so much money? I am very surprised, what do you want so much money for? Why do you have to exhaust yourself into cancer, can't you live happily?

So brothers and sisters must know that paying attention to God's words, listening to God's words, must not leave your eyes, and must be remembered in your heart. Because whoever gets it gets life and gets the medicine to heal the whole body. I want to tell those of us who are sick that the disease itself is a clear proof that you have deviated from the word of God. A few days ago, there was a cancer patient whose cancer had spread to her anus and large intestine. It hurt so much!

But even at this stage, she still does the 003 courses, and she does them very seriously. The leader of the ministry told me about her matter, I was moved by her, and said: I have to minister to her, I have never seen such a pursuing person. As a result, yesterday I prayed with her, the pain disappeared, today I prayed with her again, it's much better, but I still have to tell her:

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:20-27)

This is called wisdom and understanding! I didn't talk about many points, I just talked about one point, that is, to hold fast to wisdom and instruction, you must be able to be disciplined. If someone disciplines you, will you be hurt? If you are hurt, I have to tell you that this shows that you have a cancerous constitution, that is, you have the potential to get cancer, so it is good to be a person who can be disciplined. Until now, I am very grateful for my father's belt. Because when my father was going to beat me, he would take out his belt, slap, slap, slap! Hit it on my buttocks, quack, quack! As a result, I was admitted to a famous university. Do you want to go to a famous university? Your father's belt is your 985, I was admitted by being beaten with a belt.

When I was a child, I was beaten by my father for skipping school and not studying hard, and I am still grateful to my father. From then on, as soon as my father glared at me, I would study obediently, and later I developed the habit of studying. I didn't have the habit of studying in the first place, but as a result, I was beaten and developed the habit of studying. Some people ask me: Teacher, it always says my son here, who is this my son? The my son written in the Bible is you. Then who is I in the Bible? It is God. We should listen to God's word and gain wisdom and understanding, which is the most important thing in a person's life. The most important thing in a person's life is to be able to be disciplined, and to hold fast to instruction without letting go.

If one day, I discipline you, and after I discipline you, you say you are going to leave the church, then I will turn around and laugh: I finally don't have to pastor a foolish person anymore! If I teach you and you say, teacher, discipline me, I will not leave even if you beat me to death, I will change, I will change properly. But you say you will change, but you only regret and don't change! You say you regret it, but you don't regret it in your heart, then this is not called holding firm. If you don't hold firm and don't keep it, you have no way out!

This chapter will be shared here. Does everyone understand what wisdom is? That is, holding fast to instruction is the law of wisdom! May God bless our brothers and sisters to be able to hold fast to instruction and be a smart person, this is the first point and the last point.

May God bless everyone!