Proverbs 4:2
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For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
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Fathers should teach good doctrine; they should know their doctrine is good; they should tell their sons it is good; and their sons should keep it. Doctrine is teaching and instruction, or the system of principles, which is given as final truth on a particular subject. To be good doctrine, it must be instruction or principles based on God's word.
Godly fathers are not confused or timid men. They know they have the truth and wisdom the world does not have, and they give it authoritatively to their children. God said of Abraham, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment" (Gen 18:19).
Moses commanded fathers to teach their sons. He ordered, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut 6:6-7).
David said to his family, "Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD" (Ps 34:11). This doctrinal instruction from father to son can have far reaching effects. "Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation" (Joel 1:3). It can guide four generations ... or more!
Where are fathers? The typical Christian father today sends the kids to Sunday School for a woman to teach them, attends their Little League games, locks out adult channels on the television cable, brings home enough cash flow for three modest families to subsist on, sends them to a secular university, and pays for a big wedding. He is AWOL!
They are a despised species! They are demeaned at school, ridiculed on television, mocked in movies, and ignored in court. They are browbeaten at home by overbearing wives, who "need to say something." They are the butt of most family jokes. Kids learn to avoid them, conspire against them, steal from them, placate them, and disregard them.
Real fathers laugh at the conspiracy. They have an office and mandate from heaven, and they are going to do their job with confidence and zeal. They fear no man, especially their wives and children. They know they have more truth and wisdom than the local school board combined and squared. They say boldly, "I give you good doctrine!"
What is their textbook and manual? The Word of God, the Holy Bible, the inspired Scriptures! They know that everything else is mere drivel and twaddle, the babblings of egotistical idiots in love with themselves (Is 8:20; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21). They despise any opinion contrary to God's Word (Ps 119:98-100,128). They know they have wisdom, righteousness, and life to make men and nations great (Deut 4:5-10; 6:24-25; 32:46-47).
Where are the pastors to give fathers a holy example? They have abdicated their office to the minister of music, minister of sports, and minister of building programs. They are browbeaten by the deacon board and warned by the denominational headquarters to keep the message watered down to be politically correct and keep the unregenerate attending.
They are a despised species! Their heroes in the faith - mighty men who thundered sound doctrine - are ridiculed or ignored as Neanderthal tyrants out of touch with their feminine side, who preached a male view of God and the psychologically-damaging concept of hell. They usually get ten minutes to preach to sleepy hearers in sandals and tank tops, for children's theater, interpretive dance, Jesus rap, and fundraising took most of the service.
Real pastors laugh at the conspiracy. They also have an office and mandate from heaven, and they are going to blast the trumpet of repentance, reformation, and righteousness. They don't care about numbers, since they know only eight were in the ark and twenty-three million in the water! They are going to preach the word intensely, in spite of marketing surveys showing universal demand for fables and entertainment (II Tim 4:1-4).
What is their textbook and manual? The same Word of God, Holy Bible, and inspired Scriptures! They know they are perfectly prepared for any and all ministerial work with simply the Bible (II Tim 3:16-17). They are not moved by men or angels preaching or suggesting anything else (Job 32:6-10; Gal 1:6-9; II Cor 2:17; 4:1-2; 11:3-5,13-15).
Reader, do you love sound doctrine? Or are you part of the feminine movement to replace Bible preaching with entertainment and sharing sessions? Could you stand all day to hear the Word of God read distinctly and the proper sense given (Neh 8:1-8)? Would you? Could you grieve for your sins, but celebrate for joy of understanding (Neb 8:9-12)? Would you ask for the same kind of service the next seven days (Neh 8:13-18)?
Do you know how to find sound doctrine? It is only in the Holy Bible. It is your duty to search the Scriptures faithfully to see if what you are hearing is right (Acts 17:11). It is your duty to prove all things and hold fast that which is good (I Thess 5:21).
Father, at your disposal is the truth and wisdom of God. You should teach your children; you should do it confidently and dogmatically; and you should enforce it. Your family's future depends on it. Stand up, and be counted among God's mighty men of valor!
Child, your father knows more than you can even imagine. Listen to him. When he brings God's Word and his doctrine, pay attention! Humble yourself! Do not forsake - forget or neglect or disregard - his law. Honor him for his efforts. Thank him.
Pastor, you stand between mankind and their total destruction. You have good doctrine, for the scriptures are profitable for doctrine. Preach the Word! The Lord is with you!
www.letgodbetrue.com
