Proverbs - Advice for Sons

Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Here, this mother is warning her son not to get involved illicitly with prostitutes, adulterous women or seducing ladies.  Women can be a blessing to men and the power of the attraction to women can be a man’s downfall.  Men can give their strength to women.  This is important for us to know as women.  We should be careful not to ask for men’s strength.  We must not manipulate them nor seduce them.  Our goal is to reverence our husbands and esteem them highly.  Our sons should see us standing behind our husband’s decisions and not tearing them down.  Women were used in David’s downfall, Samson’s sabotage and Adam’s disobedience.  If we know that men can give their strength to us, we would do well never to receive it.  Men need to be men and they need to be strong.  We must not belittle them or nag them to the point that they weaken under our wrath.  Let us render honor to whom honor is due.  Don’t be threatened by the strength of your husband’s decisions.  Enjoy his leadership and watch the Lord establish him as king.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Drinking alcoholic drinks is not for kings.  Getting drunk or having our judgment impaired causes us to forget the law and lose good judgment.  We can raise our sons in such a way that they see themselves as kings or princes.  We must remind them that the Lord wants them to rule their lives well and drinking is one the ways that destroys kings.  We need to remind them that their judgment may be impaired and in one night of fun can come a lifetime of consequences.  Our lives must exemplify soberness and wanting to make decisions by the leading of the Holy Spirit and not in impulsive moments of intoxicated thought.  Lord, help our children steer clear of anything that would impair their judgment and help us be good examples to them.