Proverbs 22.5
“Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.”
The way of life that crooked people follow is beset by all kinds of obstacles and problems. These are self-inflicted problems that the proverb describes as “thorns and snares.” They are traps that ensnare. If you don’t protect yourself and avoid the snares, they will hook you and hold you.
It has become increasingly popular today for people to identify the source of addiction as chemistry, not character. As a disease, not a decision. However, this is simply an attempt to avoid responsibility for making bad choices. You often hear this kind of rationalization from parents that have kids who are ensnared by addiction. But that rationalization reveals a lack of courage to confront the reality that addiction is caused by bad decisions made by the kids (and often the parents, as well).
Proverbs is crystal clear about the source and cause of getting hooked and ensnared. Wise people, this proverb says, are those who “guard their souls.” They recognize the the danger of the thorns and snares, and they “keep far from them.” The wise also stay far away from people who are caught in the traps.
It’s been true from the very beginning: People often get ensnared because they associated with the wrong people. Kids that hang out with the wrong crowd put themselves at great risk of getting caught up in dangerous, addictive behavior.
So again, guard your soul. Recognize the thorns and snares of life and keep far from them.
Proverbs 22.6
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Most modern translations understand this verse correctly and clarify what it teaches by adding a qualifier to the path. For example:
“Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” (NLT)
“Train children in the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray.” (NRSV)
The book of Proverbs is consistent in teaching there is a right way and a wrong way to go about life. There is a right path which should be followed, and there is a wrong path that should be avoided. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children the right path.
Provide your children with musar … disciplined training. Most importantly, teach your children to make the decision to embrace musar themselves.
More tomorrow …
