Are You Winning?
Parents are soul-winners. Proverbs 11:30 bibrefproverbs11 bibrefproverbs11v30 says,
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and he who captures souls is wise.
“Captures” is also “wins” (NASB). Dad/mom, are you winning?
This assumes that there is a place where the soul should be and that the soul is not already there. It also implies that there is something that can be done about it.
The book of Proverbs is primarily a collection by Solomon for his sons so that they would know how to rule. It’s a handbook for kings, but of course there is application for household rule as well.
The thing Solomon knew he did not have was wisdom to lead the people. He asked the Lord for it, the Lord gave it to him, and more (1 Kings 3:5-12 bibref1kings3 bibref1kings3v5 bibref1kings3v6 bibref1kings3v7 bibref1kings3v8 bibref1kings3v9 bibref1kings3v10 bibref1kings3v11 bibref1kings3v12). Proverbs are some of that wisdom in written form, still relevant centuries later.
The youth start out naive and childish. They need to learn to listen. They need to learn to desire goodness and fruitfulness. They need to learn the fear of the Lord.
To capture a soul is to:
- give prudence/good foresight to the naive (1:4)
- knowledge and discretion/self-restraint to the youth (1:4)
- fear of the Lord and delight in wisdom and instruction (1:7)
As has been said, this is not just teaching the standard, it is teaching them to love the standard. A soul is captured when that soul listens to authority (parents, don’t tolerate disrespect), learns truth (don’t tolerate lies), and loves virtue (don’t tolerate apathy).
Be an authority that wins others to follow you in gladness. Speak the truth so that the hearts of your kids delight in it. Embody the virtues of godliness that have promise not just for this life but for the life to come. This is winning.