FAMILY MATTERS: DIVERSIONS, DISTRACTIONS & DECEIT

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Proverbs 4:20-27 (CSB) 

20 My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21 Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. 25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. 26 Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil. 

Today, all of us are bombarded with many diversions, distractions and deceptions which keep us from fully engaging with our families. Some of these are not necessarily bad, but when not balanced with what’s important, they can destroy what God has brought together. Of course, some are bad, tools of the enemy, which will lead us on paths of destruction. We must find God’s plan for dealing with these issues. 

1. Know that God has a path for us all 

Vss 20-22 My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21 Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. 

• We are not left to figure out this thing called life on our own, God’s Word is a clear and concise guide to living

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

2. It starts in the heart 

Vs 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

• Letting God’s Word and His way be the starting point for your journey
• Don’t allow the culture to dictate the path for your family

Colossians 3:1-2 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3. Honesty is the best policy 

Vss 24-26 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. 25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. 26 Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.

• Culture says that all that matters is your own desires and happiness, figure out what’s best for you and nothing else matters

• God’s Word tells us focus on the right way, His way

4. Don’t let the world get you off track 

Vss 26-27 Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.

• Be diligent in your decisions and let God lead you

• It is easy to fall prey to the plans of others, it takes work to do right

• But doing right is always worth it!

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.