22 Fatherly Instructions for Discernment (Proverbs 23)

Peter Rufus
Series in Proverbs: Wise in His Eyes
Instruction for Fatherly Discernment
Proverbs 23
7 September 2025

Real discernment looks past the surface appearance to understand what is going on. Fathers are held responsible to pass on discernment to their family, and so they must first seek it for themselves.

Discernment depends on self control. If your appetite is a weakness, then you need to be conscious of the line you should not cross. When we are controlled by desire or emotion, we fail to see the dangers in front of us. The antidote is discipline, which good fathers are to teach their children.

Discernment depends on obedience. If we are not obeying God, then we cannot discern what is true, but obedience of children brings joy to the heart of the parent.

Discernment depends on faith. This means trusting God that the consequences of our decisions are real, even if we cannot see the effects our actions may have. When God says to avoid something, we should follow - not because we know how everything plays out, but knowing that He is good and that He can see the end.