Proverbs Ch1:8-19

My take-out:

"8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not
the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head,
and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for
the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and
whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13 We shall find all precious
substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let
us all have one purse: 15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain
thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed
blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. 18 And they
lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are
the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the
owners thereof" - KJV

My take-out:

1) As God is the Creator and source of all wisdom –─God should be looked to, honoured and be (as John Maxwell points out) "the foundation for every decision".
2) Parents (particularly God fearing ones) are a good source of wisdom ─they have been around and “did not come down in the last shower”. If they say the “don’t touch – the pot is hot” then don’t touch. Listen intently to make sure you know what they are telling you before proceeding. Don't assume that you know. Yesterday I asked my son to get me a plate when cooking. He said “Yes” and came back with a bowl - the wrong outcome. He only partially listened. Honor your parents (and those more advanced in years), listen intently, make sure you fully (not partially) comprehend the instruction – and you will be benefitciary of the wisdom encapsulated in their words.
3) 10-19. It is unwise to put ambition before God and integrity. I work in a large corporate, and like most of this nature politics tends to be a blood sport. Often moves are made, games are played at the expense of others. For me I need to ensure that my words and behaviour are aligned to more closely with my professed core values and God.
4) Its great to be cunning and politically astute - but - ultimately there is no wisdom in placing ambition above integrity and dishonouring God....(Lord help me change where I need to).