“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Solomon begins his instruction with a plea: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” The key words being “hear” and “forsake not”; “the instruction” and “the law.”

Solomon has already said in verse 5, “A wise man will hear (instruction), and will increase learning…” This is the natural spiritual progression of a regenerated person (a wise man). Rejection and rebellion is the natural progression of fools.

The difference being the Regeneration by the Spirit of God; whereby those regenerated have the mind of Christ to discern Spiritual things of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-16), and have the Love of God implanted in them by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5); thereby they desire to please Christ.

Whereas the unregenerate are still controlled by the “old man” (or the flesh) and have not the Love of God in them. (See Ephesians 4:17-24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:1-22; 7:15-25; 8:1-16; Galatians 4, 5, 6.)

However, in Proverbs 1:8, Solomon gives his first command to his son (who represents all the sons of God who have been regenerated, or made wise, by the Spirit of God).

The hearing that Solomon invokes on his son is a positive action of forsaking not; in other words, continue to endure in the truth.

See Galatians 4:19-31; the allegory of Hagar and Sarah:

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” (Galatians 4:19)

“I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.” (Galatians 4:20)

“Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” (Galatians 4:21)

“For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.” (Galatians 4:22)

“But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.” (Galatians 4:23)

“Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.” (Galatians 4:24)

“For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.” (Galatians 4:25)

“But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:26)

Here Sarah represents “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Paul is speaking of the Church, the Holy City of God, the Bride of Christ.

In our text verse of Proverbs 1:8, “the instruction of thy father” is the Word of God coming from God to us; “the law of thy mother” (of or New Jerusalem) is the Law of Love. The Law of Love is the Law of Grace, Mercy, Truth, Holiness, Peace, and Power.

Solomon continues in verse 9 that the Law of Love (which includes the instruction of God’s Word and the consequent actions of God’s sheep as they walk in His Love) is, “For they (the instruction of thy father and the law of thy mother) shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”

Solomon is speaking metaphorically, using “grace” as a crown on the head, and “chains” (which were used to hold keys) as the authority and power to unlock the proverbs and dark sayings of the wise. This is showing the power to perceive, or understand, the Word of God, and to walk in that power to perform God’s Word.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:29-39 (please read all the verses):

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” (Romans 8:33)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …” (Romans 8:35)

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him (Christ) that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Christ is our Ornament, or our Decoration, that covers us:

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

Christ has bestowed His Grace upon us. He has given us the Spirit to unlock all truth to us. Therefore, we are crowned with His Righteousness, which means we have been justified, or declared righteous.

The truth of the Regenerated man’s position in Christ is Wisdom, Righteousness (Justified), Sanctification, and Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is a position that every Regenerated Elect sees and understands when he is being tempted to sin.

When a person knows who they are in Christ, it is one of the things that convince a saved man to not sin, but to instead stand firm on the Promises of Christ. (See Philippians 4:13, 19; 1 John 5:4.)

When a person knows that they are One with Christ (John 17:21-24); when they know they are His Bride, His sons and daughters; when they know they have been raised from the dead and given “newness of life” (eternal life); when they know they are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20); when they know they are “a new creature” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and have a new nature (Ephesians 4:22-24) – then they cannot sin. (See 1 John 3:1-24.)

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:24)

Then we cannot sin; we must not sin.

These truths keep us now and eternally. However, there are times the Child of God fails and sins. Therefore, Solomon begins to enlighten his son (or the saved man) of all the tricks and deceptions of the adversary; so as to warn the saved man.

The saved man must take heed wherein he stands lest he fall:

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)

“I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.” (1 Corinthians 10:15)

Paul said, “I speak as to wise men (or regenerated men)” – but he says, “flee from idolatry.”

The Apostle Paul gives many, many warnings to God’s People. (Examples are Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 9:27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; and many more.) Peter does the same. (See 1 Peter 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:8-12.)

Solomon is warning and instructing his son (all saved men) to take note and beware; to flee, turn from evil; and to reject the adversary’s deceptions and lies.

You can overcome (Proverbs 1:23). Yes, and since Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit on us in the Process of Regeneration. “I will (not maybe, but will) make known my words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23).

Reader, there is the victory over daily sin and the temptation to sin. The victory is in the Lamb of God, our Resurrected Lord, our Savior

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

See 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; Romans 1:4; Luke 24:1-6.

“And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen…” (Luke 24:5-6a)

Wake up, Child of God. Look in the Mirror of Grace. There you are robed in His Righteousness, endued with the Power of Christ, Who has all power in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18). When the adversary, the flesh, the old man (Romans 7:15-24; Ephesians 4:22) begins to tempt you – remember who you are in Christ (Romans 8:1-2). You are no longer a bond slave of sin (Romans 6:1-22) – but a bond slave of Righteousness. Sin has no power over you – you are free in Christ. You are free from the Presence, Power, and Punishment of sin (Romans 6:23).

Yes, you will be tempted. Yes, sinners will entice you. But be still, and know who you are in Christ. Know that you now walk in the Power of His Resurrection. (Please read Romans 6:1-23)