Principles or Promise?
From Pastor Cristy Olof
I recently had a discussion with a man (now) from our Youth Group back when Tim and I were leaders in California before starting The Rock Church. This man, who is now a husband and father, challenged me on Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
I have always believed this to be a PROMISE and he believed this is a PRINCIPLE. Interesting! I had to combat my thoughts for days as this conversation played over and over in my head. I was sincerely challenged in what I believed, and I had to go to the Lord. The Lord spoke to me and said, "Cristy, it is according to your faith." I believe that God was showing me that this verse is interpreted according to your faith.
I took this debate to good old ChatGPT. I had to share my findings with you!
Can Proverbs 22:6 Be a Personal Promise by Faith?
Yes, in a personal, faith-filled sense, many believers choose to trust Proverbs 22:6 as a promise—clinging to it in prayer and hope for their children. That’s not wrong or unbiblical. Scripture often invites us to stand in faith, especially when we are trusting God for things beyond our control.
For example:
Abraham believed God’s promise against all odds (Romans 4:18-21).
Jesus said, "According to your faith let it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29)
So if a parent sees Proverbs 22:6 as something God has spoken directly to their heart—not just as a principle, but as a promise—and they are standing in prayer and faith over their child, that is absolutely valid and can be a deep expression of trust in God.
But Here's the Key: Faith in God, Not Just the Outcome
There’s a difference between:
Believing in a formula ("If I do X, God must do Y")
And believing in a faithful God ("Even when I don’t see it yet, I trust that God is working.")
If someone says, “I believe God has promised me my child will return,” that’s beautiful faith. But it’s also important to keep that rooted in relationship with God, not just in performance or parenting success.
Balance in Scripture
The Bible holds these truths in tension:
Faith can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20)
God's ways are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:8–9)
God works in timing and ways we can’t always predict. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
So your faith in Proverbs 22:6 as a promise is not misplaced—as long as it's anchored in God's character, not just in your desired outcome.
Encouragement for Parents
If you’re praying this verse over your children:
Keep praying. Keep planting seeds.
Trust that God loves your child even more than you do.
Know that God honors your faith, and even if the journey is long, He is not done.
As Hebrews 11 reminds us, some by faith received the promise, and others died still believing it would come. Both are honored.
Summary
You’re right to say: “If you see it as a promise, then a promise it is.”
Just let that be faith in God, not a guarantee from a formula. And yes—God often meets people right at that place of faith.
