It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
Proverbs 31:4 NIV
The woman in Proverbs 31 told her son, Lemuel, “It is not for kings.” That statement is profound, because she understood exactly who her son was. She recognised his identity. She saw what God had placed inside him, therefore she could call that identity out with confidence. This woman addressed him according to his destiny — she reminded him that he was a king.
She said, “Listen to me, my son, the son of my womb. Listen, the one I prayed for.” Afterwards, she began to teach him what was appropriate for kings, and what was not. Likewise, God has also declared to us who we are. Scripture calls us a royal priesthood. In the book of Revelation it was also stated that we have been made kings and priests unto God. Therefore, if God has called us into a sacred and royal position, we must understand that not everything is for us.
Consequently, we must recognise this: It is not for kings. It is not everything that you can do. It is not everything that you can say. Neither is it everything you should interact with. It is not everything that you can allow into your life. Kings live with boundaries. Kings live with intention. A King lives with reverence for their calling.
Yes, it might appear acceptable to everyone else. It may even feel correct for the common man. Nevertheless, a king cannot behave like everyone else. For instance, if you see someone dressed in rags, you do not associate that appearance with royalty. In the same way, it is not for kings to clothe themselves, speak, or behave in a manner that contradicts who they truly are.
Furthermore, there is a language that kings use. There is a posture of confidence that kings carry. There is a mind-set that a king walks with. Therefore, whatever you choose to do — pause and ask yourself: Is this for kings? Is this worthy of the royal identity that God has given me? Is this acceptable for those who have been set apart in the Kingdom of God?
Once you surrender yourself to Christ, you stop living like a commoner. You are not ordinary, therefore you must stop acting ordinary. It is not for kings to indulge in what is unworthy, even when many others do so. So, ask yourself the challenging question: Are you a king, and are you behaving like one?
Living It Out
God has called you royalty, therefore your life must reflect that identity with intentionality, discipline, and honour. Remember daily that kings do not lower themselves to whatever is common or convenient. Instead, they rise to what is holy and set apart. Consequently, as you live, speak, choose, respond, build, and interact — always ask yourself one decisive question: Is this for kings?