PARENTS AND KIDS OF FAITH

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, February 16, 2007

FAITH PARENTING AND WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR CHILDREN
””How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” Proverbs 16:16
Part 3

This is the last of a three part series about needing to know about our children as we determine how to instruct, train, and correct them. Part one established that the nature of our children is sinful due to original sin. We are not born morally neutral but with the bent to sin. Part two began to describe how “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” and that simplicity or just being naïve brings vulnerability to sin. Their childishness brings about impulsive behavior and the challenge is to teach them how to think biblically before they act.

This part of the lesson will continue to address the dangers of the simple, sinful heart of a child and why our children need the Word of God for instruction, training, and correction. Perhaps you might see yourself in this lesson and the need for the same.

Proverbs 14:15 states, “The naïve believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps.” Children are susceptible to be influenced by others, particularly those who would be considered important or “cool.” Often fools are loud and visible and without good discernment, a child can become envious of their behavior. Just look at who are the stars and idols imitated by young people today. Proverbs 22:24, 25 says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.” Proverbs 24:1, 2 “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. For their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.”

Children tend to have a lack of sensitivity to danger and are inclined to minimize evil or not recognize it. Proverbs 27:12 states, “A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty.” Temptations are not seen for the danger they are and evil tends not be seen as dangerous. This is why correction is so important when a child acts foolishly as they step over the boundaries established through instruction and training. The senses must be trained to see danger and evil. A child is to receive consequences as a tool to learn the reality of life as described by Proverbs 2:18, 19 “For her house (the strange woman who commits adultery) sinks down to death and her tracks lead to the dead; none who go to her return again, nor do they reach the paths of life.” Proverbs 6:10, 11, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.”

The naïve tend to have little power over indulging in self-centered pleasures even at the cost of discipline. In particular, pleasures of the flesh that can be sinful. They will often seek to do what avoids any measure of pain and pursue pleasure. They will even weigh the two options of pain and pleasure against each other and choose pleasure, even if it costs some measure of pain in discipline. It is not easy but it is necessary to teach our children to discern the glorious riches of a Bible-centered life of faith over the lesser values of a life based upon the pleasures of the flesh. They must be able to see the treasures of God’s promises against the self-indulging hurtful pleasures of the flesh that lead to a lack of self-control. Proverbs 11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 15:16, 17 “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it.” Proverbs 21:17, “He who loves pleasure will become a poor man, he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.” Proverbs 25:16 “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, lest you have it in excess and vomit it.” Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”

To accept discipline and appreciate it is something that has to be taught and learned by our children. Who likes pain? Discipline must be taught as something to be accepted by our children as an act of love directed to their good. It is to be done for the benefit of the child and not for the parent. When the parent is acting by faith with the Word of God, they are acting on behalf of God in the life of the child. We and our children must grasp the heart of David in Psalm 119: 65-72 “Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word. Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word. Thou art good and doest good; teach me Thy statutes. The arrogant have forged a lie against me, with all my heart I will observe Thy precepts. Their heart is covered with fat, but I delight in Thy law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes. The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” Proverbs 3:11, 12 “My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 15:10 “Stern discipline is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.”

Parents are ordained by God to carry out His commandments on His behalf for the good of their children. Children are a gift and a blessing from God that become the responsibility of the parent. Through God’s Word, no parent lacks what is necessary to raise their children to His delight.

Next week we will begin setting goals for our parenting. Knowing where we are to go helps keep a faith focus on parenting where today’s actions by your children are not necessarily taking you off the course of where they are to be in 5, 10, or 15 years.