Parenting is not difficult because it’s expensive, it’s not difficult because it is time consuming, it’s not difficult because it is distracting from your own personal agenda, it’s not difficult because it is hard to meet all the demands, it’s REALLY difficult because there are such heavy pressures from society around us and the nature of the children in them. Believe it or not under society as it is, children can become real problems to parents and society. Have you ever stopped to think about how angry today’s kids are? It is an angry generation, listen to the music, look at the movies, vengeance, anger, hostility. Who are they most angry with?? You guessed it…their parents! So, what has the solution been??? Well, we are told “they lack self-esteem”, they don’t have pride in themselves, they need to love themselves. So, tell all these kids that they need to accept themselves for the way they are, they need to feel good about who they are, they need to respect who they are. All we are doing by that is telling these kids that they are justified in wanting their own will, their own way, which is all they want anyway. It has been popular to say to blame our problems on “self-esteem”, that people who don’t like themselves don’t have enough incentive to stay out of trouble. That is wrong!! You know why they don’t stay out of trouble?? Not because of self-esteem, but because of self-control. They don’t know how to control themselves. There have been several studies in California on this very subject. They have said but we have been told we need to boost their self-esteem, make them feel good about everything. Let’s look back at Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
What do we do to change them?? What is our job?? Our job is to teach them the law of God and lead them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. First of all, children need to know that they are sinners and just how deep that goes in their nature. They need to be taught that they will feel impulses that are wrong and that it alienates them from God. They need to be shown clearly the consequences of sin. For example, not getting the blessing God has for us, trouble in life, death, and even hell. We need to teach them the truth of sin, the truth of death and the truth of hell. It’s not what we do to our children that make them go astray it’s what you don’t do. We need to teach them God’s law and not just that Jesus wants to be their friends. Their hearts have to be transformed people! There are no if’s and’s or but’s to it. I think too many times we try to sugar coat it, why do we do that?? It isn’t any different teaching kids than it is adults. You don’t leave out the reward of heaven either. It’s easier to lead children to truth then it is to lead them to error. They need to understand that if they put their trust in Jesus Christ their sins are forgiven and they shouldn’t be afraid, but live in the joy and hope of heaven! We have to tell them of the gospel that saves, they do not know it. They are sinful and lack a solid fear of the consequence of their sin. We have made them selfish, self-centered, and proud. They crave worldly pleasure, they are frivolous and thoughtless about serious matters. They are influenced by the world around them, and they are greatly affected by evil friends. They can’t understand the blessings of salvation, the joys of conversion UNLESS they see that in our lives. Leading our kids to God is powerful task but it is also a thrilling one. We don’t have to brow beat them, we just need to be straightforward. It has to be constant. You don’t have to be confusing, but not too simplistic either.
Is this unpleasant? Often times, yes. Is this hard? Yes! Teach them about God’s holiness, teach them to fear God. Start with Leviticus 11:44-45 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. 45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Show them their sin (bad attitudes, lies, failure to do a chore, disrespect) and teach them of God’s forgiveness. BUT beyond all that tell them that anything they do in their life falls short of a perfect standard, we all do and are in danger of hell. Tell them that are not alone, we are all in the same situation!! Then tell them they can do nothing to earn their salvation. Our sins offend God. We can’t forgive ourselves, He has to. Romans 3:20 By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight. We are in a helpless state here, we cannot help ourselves. This is where we want them, you know why?? The major point is this: Tell them about Christ and what he did. The good news! That God became man to live a pure and blameless life. He endured the same temptations we do. 1 John 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.. He became the sacrifice for our sins…WOW! 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Then tell them about the resurrection. Lastly tell them what God asks them to do in response. To repent and TRUST!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
1 comment:
Oh, and start when they're young and will still listen to what you have to say. When they still think their parents hung the moon!! There will come a time when their ears become deaf!!
I have always wanted to be an example to all of you and I know that there were times I failed miserably!! Thank God for His grace.
Love to you all & preach on my daughter!!
Mom
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