THE
BOOK OF GOD'S PROMISES
Wisdom For Parents
By
J. Stephen Lang
CBN.com
-- What purpose do parents serve in the modern world? Sometimes parents
feel like unpaid chauffeurs, driving the children to and from ball games, band
practice, whatever. With families on the move, each member pursuing his own individual
plans, and precious little time for family togetherness, parents wonder if they're
really necessary for their children.
Surrounded by educational and psychological
"experts" on child-rearing, too many parents feel inadequate to the task. Odd,
since parents have been raising their children for centuries and, usually, have
been pretty successful at it.
The Bible gives parents a much more important
role than chauffeurs. In fact, they are so important that one of the Ten Commandments
concerns them: "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full
life in the land the LORD your God will give you." Exodus 20:12 Going against
the grain of the world, the Bible imposes an important role on parents: discipline.
It is an unpopular word these days. When have you seen a TV sitcom family that
had a sane view of discipline? So many schools are lacking in discipline these
days, so where will it come from if not from parents? In fact, parental discipline
is an imitation of God himself. The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we
are; he knows we are only dust. Psalm 103:13-14 The LORD corrects those
he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12
Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they
will remain upon it. Proverbs 22:6 Don't fail to correct your children.
They won't die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from
death. Proverbs 23:13-14 Does this sound harsh? It shouldn't -- nothing
in the Bible condones child abuse. In fact, Christian parents are often reminded
to temper discipline with kindness. Now a word to you fathers. Don't make your
children angry by the way you scold them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline
and instruction approved by the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 In both the Old and
New Testaments, people of faith are given a critical role: passing on the heritage
of faith to their children. We will not hide these truths from our children
but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD . We will
tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did. For he issued his decree to
Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to
their children, so the next generation might know them -- even the children not
yet born -- that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can
set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors -- stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
Psalm 78:4-8
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J.
Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
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