Proverbs 7:24

What is a father for? To bring home the bacon? To protect the home at night against intruders? To play ball in the yard? To provide an allowance for candy and junk? To finance a college education? The LORD, Creator of heaven and earth, declared fathers are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).

What should a father teach? How to ride a bicycle? How to balance a checkbook? How to drive a car? God declared fathers are to teach the fear of the LORD and to keep the way of the LORD (Ps 34:11; Gen 18:19). Since fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man, this is his primary goal of teaching (Eccl 12:13-14; Ps 78:1-8).

God condemns fornication, or sex outside marriage (Heb 13:4). Solomon used this chapter to warn his son about whorish women. After introducing the subject (Pr 7:1-5), he wrote a lengthy parable of a foolish young man seduced to destruction by a strange woman (Pr 7:6-23). This proverb begins his summary warning (Pr 7:24-27).

It is a shame most Christian fathers are not as open, practical, and realistic as Solomon, especially in this lascivious generation. Rather than being prudish and silent about sexual temptations, fathers need to warn against them with every technique they can muster. The danger is great; the temptations are everywhere; young men need such fathers.

Solomon applied his parable by calling his children to listen to him. Due to the subject matter, they were not infants or young children. Fathers know far more about these things than sons in their teens or twenties. He told his children to listen and pay attention. He used the horrible fate of the young man to show they needed this instruction and warning.

Father! Do not be intimidated. Do not be ashamed. Do not be reluctant. Your son faces temptations of pornography, casual sex, and forward women. Be open, practical, and realistic. Bring the word of God to bear on this important area of his life. Compare Joseph and Samson. Describe the details that made Joseph greater than David.

Children! When your father, or mother, speaks to you about the sexual matters of life, listen to them. Pay attention. You are still a simple youth void of understanding (Pr 7:7). Make it easy for them to teach you. Tell them your temptations. Thank them for talking.

Reader! Your Father in heaven has taught all things that pertain to life and godliness. Have you listened well? Do you pay attention? Have you fully obeyed Him? It is good and profitable to heed parents’ instruction, but it is much more crucial to obey God’s.