The Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity | Proverbs 4:10-23 | Follow the Father's Wisdom

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

September 21, 2025

Provers 4:10-23

 

Our Old Testament reading is from the book of Proverbs. In some circles, Proverbs is a book that is not meditated on as it should be, and yet, it remains incredibly relevant today, especially as Christians navigate this chaotic world of evil and wickedness. 

 

An evil and wickedness that has been on full display these past few weeks as young adults have taken the lives of other human beings. Whether it is the life of an innocent girl on a subway, children praying, or Charlie Kirk being assassinated.

 

And as we discussed last week, we all have to take stock and examine the ways our words and actions contribute to this downfall in humanity. In our homes, our communities, and schools.

 

One aspect that cannot go unnoticed in our society today is the breakdown of the family unit, especially the failure of fathers to lead their families. As of 2023, one in four children did not have a father physically present in the home.

 

But you have to also ask, how many children live with a father who is physically present but emotionally and spiritually absent? A father who does not lead the home and family with wisdom—wisdom that transcends society and this world—and that leads to peace in Christ.

 

For this reason, today’s reading remains valuable and significant as Solomon shows fatherly love for his sons by teaching them the way of godly wisdom. 

 

A noble task, entrusted to the head of the household. The teaching of Godly wisdom is a father’s job. (Just think of how Luther begins each section of the Small Catechism, “As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.”)

 

So, Solomon portrays life as a journey and describes the father as the one who must guide the young person in the way of wisdom. The child’s role here is to listen to the instruction given by the father, and this becomes an ongoing conversation throughout life. However, the father also needs to be aware of where he is leading the child.

 

Solomon wrote,

            I have taught you the way of wisdom;

                        I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

            When you walk, your step will not be hampered,

                        and if you run, you will not stumble.

            Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;

                        guard her, for she is your life. (Proverbs 4:11-13)

 

The father is to teach and lead his children to wisdom, and wisdom is to understand God’s will, the truth revealed in His word.

 

Where is this will of God found?

 

Don’t overthink it, begin with the Ten Commandments.

 

Begin with the First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods.”

 

“You shall fear, love, and trust in God above all things.”

 

When someone has this anchor throughout their life, they will start to walk and run in the paths of righteousness, the path, the way of eternal life.

 

This is where the words of the Epistle come into focus as St. Paul wrote,

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

 

He goes on to say,

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17)

 

So, what are these works of the flesh?

The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (Galatians 5:19-21)

 

These works of the flesh are also the path of the wicked, where Solomon says sleep is robbed, where the diet of man is to eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of this world’s violence. (Proverbs 4:17)

 

In other words, the evil you consume with your lips and your ears will enslave you, not to do good, but to do evil. To attack your very heart and the seat of faith.

 

So, what are you and your families consuming?

 

To figure this out, think about where you spend your time. Whether it's online, in front of the TV, talking with others at the dinner table, or reading books.  

 

We all have to make this examination of our lives.

 

As Jesus said to the Jews and says to us still today,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)

 

This is a struggle, even for a parent, to be