Parents, Examine Your Hearts . . .For Your Children's Sake

Parents, the danger in telling your children how "wonderful" they are is that they might actually believe it - to their own detriment. In our generation, the level of vanity and arrogance, veiled in fake humility, is overwhelming. Compliment and encourage your children, yes, but teach them these vital truths from the Word of God:

• "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5)

• "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:11-13)

• "...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7b)

• "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20)

• "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:15-17)

Talk to your children . . .

A recent conversation with my son about relationships with friends and more specifically, young women, focused on the fact that the temptations of the world are ever present. I'm thankful to see and hear from him how the Lord's working in his heart.

He's learned from a previous experience that young girls aren't all young "ladies," and that even so-called "friends" will betray you to fulfill their own lusts and to feed their own insecurities. In the world, people will lie to your face, portraying something they're not, even to their family, but God always knows . . . He knows and you should leave such people for Him to deal with.

If you've been redeemed by the blood of Christ, you'll find that sometimes that means you must knock the dust off your feet from such people and move far away from them in order to draw nearer to God, while trusting Him to bring others into your life that will foster the right kind of relationships that are honoring to God and to eachother.

As our children get older and gradually get a little further away from our sights, ensuring they're grounded in the Word of God, not just by, as some say "having them in church," but by BEING the church in front of them, we can have some much-needed assurance that we've done what God has called us to do as parents. Where our children are at, and with whom they associate, while under our roofs, speaks volumes to our own testimonies as parents while laying the groundwork for their own future as parents, if God is pleased to bless them as such.

Parents are always at risk of trying to live vicariously through their children, especially if their child has a "talent" or "gift." but be very, very careful and guarded against this sinfulness parents. All of us, if not guarded in our own testimonies, can succomb to our children's talents, like a hook in our mouths, drawing us into a net of vanity and self-serving attention. God help all of us parents who know the Lord, to be ever mindful of that enemy to our own testimonies!

We aren't just called to teach our children, but to "train" them by a consistent, repeatable, and constant example in our own lives - by what we say and do daily in front of them. (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 13:24; 2 Timothy 3:16).

If children see and hear their parents gossping about other families, then that child will become a gossiper. If childen see and hear their parents go to places where Christians should not go, then that child will have his/her conscience seared, feeling right at home among those who make a mockery fo Christ and His gospel. If children see and hear their parents turn their backs on family or friends who've been good to them, then that child will live as a hypocrite and betray others without any remorse.

Parents, this just touches the surface of why we must not fail to "hold fast" our profession of faith in Christ, by actually holding to our words and deeds as vital influences in our children's lives. (1 Thessalonians 5:21). After all, we shall give an account to God for them.

Challenge to all parents . . .

Why not start today by examining our hearts and by brining ourselves before the Lord in repentance? Why not let our requests be made to God, through His Spirit, to be be godly, faithful, and firm in our dedication to Biblical-parenting . . . for our children's good . . . and for the glory of God? With Christ, this can be done! Amen. (Luke 1:37).