Learning from Some Young People’s Mistakes (Proverbs 1:1-7)
Cain (Gen. 1-8) By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Heb 11:4 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 1 John 3:12 (NKJV)
Cain (Gen. 1-8) Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Prov 9:8-9 (NKJV) He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. Prov 10:17 (NKJV) A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Prov 13:1 (NKJV)
Cain (Gen. 1-8) A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. Prov 14:17 (NKJV) Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. Prov 25:28 (NKJV) An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression. Prov 29:22 (NKJV) "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. Eph 4:26-27 (NKJV)
Cain (Gen. 1-8) Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Prov 1:29-30 (NKJV) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Amon (2 Sam. 13:1-18) My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. Prov 1:10 (NKJV) My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; Prov 1:15 (NKJV) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matt 5:28-29 (NKJV) "Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant." 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell. Prov 9:17-18 (NKJV)
Amon (2 Sam. 13:1-18) Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. Prov 4:14-15 (NKJV) He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Prov 13:20 (NKJV) And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Gen 2:23-24 (NKJV) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Prov 4:23 (NKJV)
The Rich Young Ruler (Matt. 19:16-22) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:26 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Cor 9:6 (NKJV) I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:35 (NKJV)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Eph 6:1-3 (NKJV) Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Col 3:20 (NKJV) and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." Luke 15:19 (NKJV)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Prov 10:4-5 (NKJV) Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. Prov 20:13 (NKJV) He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. Prov 21:17 (NKJV) Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. Prov 23:20-21 (NKJV)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. Prov 14:20 (NKJV) Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. Prov 19:4 (NKJV) All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. Prov 19:7 (NKJV) A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Prov 17:17 (NKJV)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; Prov 23:17 (NKJV) Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking. Prov 24:1-2 (NKJV) My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. Prov 3:11-12 (NKJV)
From These Accounts We Learn … There are many mistakes we can make when we are young. The consequences will follow us all our lives. Be Careful to Avoid These Mistakes! Respect the wishes & instruction of your parents. Choose your friends carefully. Give heed to the word of God!