Dear Cherise,

My son is 12 and starting to hang out with some kids that I worry about. They just do not seem to have the morals that I am trying to teach my son. Do you recommend some passages from the Bible that I can share with him to help him stay on track?

Susan – Texas

Dear Susan,

The first thing that comes to mind when dealing with this is the book of Proverbs Chapter 1 vs. 8-19.

My husband and I recently read this with our son (who is 9). The lesson here is to stay away from evil doers. I know we are not to judge them. We are to love them as Christ loves us.

As the old saying goes: Birds of a feather flock together. You are right to be concerned about who your child hangs around. Talk to him now and help him find the type of friends you would like him to be around.

I think for this month’s article I will let the Word speak for itself.
Warning Against Enticement

8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

9 They will be a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,
do not give in to them.

11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood,
let’s waylay some harmless soul;

12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, [b]
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;

14 throw in your lot with us,
and we will share a common purse”-

15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;

16 for their feet rush into sin,
they are swift to shed blood.

17 How useless to spread a net
in full view of all the birds!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves!

19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Please send your questions and responses to cherise.perkins@yahoo.com for next month’s article.

Love in Christ,

Cherise Perkins