We as parents know that the world has its own idea of how we should raise our children. However, the world’s view is in stark contrast to God’s. Society believes that providing our children with enough things, such as money, fancy clothes and electronic gizmos will take the place of true parenting. It’s a lot easier on the parent to give a kid twenty dollars to keep his or her room clean than to say keeping your room clean is one of their responsibilities. God’s idea of true parenting was first revealed in Abraham when God chose him because he knew that he would command his children and household after him that they keep the way of the Lord (Genesis. 18:19) and God expects no less from us as parents.
Of course we know that every parent loves their children and wants them to have the best of everything, however we cannot forget God’s teaching on how to train our children. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that if we train our children in the way they should go they will not depart from it.
It is up to us as parents to set boundaries and guidelines for our children in order that they might grow up and become the Christian leaders that God desires them to be, just as Paul says in I Corinthians 11:1, imitate me as I imitate Christ, so must we imitate Christ that our children might imitate us. It is vital that parents teach their children the Word of God as well as instruct them on how to pray. Parents should demonstrate trust in Gods Word by declaring His Word over the trials they face, in the presence of their children and rejoicing with them when God’s word is manifested.
God has commanded us not to conform to the ways of the world but instead to separate ourselves and do His will (2 Corinthians 6:17). We should refuse to let society dictate how we are to raise our children. We know Satan can use even the smallest individual, even a child, to divide an entire household. For example, one our children would whine and cry to one parent to get her way even after the other parent had already said no and this of course would lead to arguments and strife in our home. We prayed and sought God’s wisdom regarding this matter and made a decision to let God’s word be the final authority. These are some of the scriptures we meditated on during this time: Proverbs 13:24 says he who spares his rod spoils his child but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Proverbs 22:15 says that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child but the rod of correction will drive it far from him and Proverbs 19:18 tells us to chasten our children while there is still hope.
Through meditating and acting upon these scriptures we are seeing the fruits of Proverb 23: 24 which say the father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. God is not a man that he should lie. He said in Isaiah 54:13 that if we teach our children the ways of the Lord great shall be their peace and no doubt ours also. Amen.
So God expects the parents to trust and obey His Word in the training of our children. There is no challenge life can offer that will withstand a family that dares to live by the Word of God with true faith in His son Jesus. Amen.
