Proverbs 4:13 “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.”
Over and over the book of Proverbs will give the read information needed to have life. 40 verses share various actions to have life. Having life is one of the major themes of Proverbs for the opposite is death and the writer does not want that for his readers.
In this verse, the reader is called upon to be actively involved with instruction. The idea of instruction in Proverbs is to put into action the training one has received. As a coach trains an athlete on the how-to of the sport the athlete is INSTRUCTED. As a parent trains up a child the child is INSTRUCTED. In Proverbs 4 we have a father speaking to his children and in verse 13 the father says TAKE FIRM HOLD of your training followed by another admonishment to NOT LET IT GO. With the admonishment to treasure and value and protect the training, the father says KEEP IT. In other words, PUT IT INTO ACTION. OBEY THE TRAINING!
Why is there such a strong emphasis on putting instruction into action? The verse concludes with SHE IS YOUR LIFE. The seriousness of this is found in James 1:15 where it says, “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” When we sin, we bring death to life in our lives. Putting instruction into action, and obeying what God’s Word says brings life.
Ultimately we have choices, but we must know that as we make our choices our choices make us. Proverbs 4:13 tells us the benefit of putting instruction in action – LIFE! Choice WISELY!
AN APRIL TO BELIEVE note:
With Easter on April 20, we are reading through the Gospel of John. On this April 13th, we encourage you to read/listen to John 13 where Christ is the SERVANT. The key verse regarding believing is John 13:19, 21 “Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” May this April be an April to Believe!
Continue Strong,
And remember to DATE THE Word