Parenting

Over the years there have been numerous books written on the job of parenting.  The subject has been addressed on different talk shows and in magazines.  There are so many “experts” that say try this or that.  It seems everyone, even if he does not a have a child of his own, has an opinion on what is the best way to rear a child.

What if we were able to ask God, the Father, His thoughts on parenting?  What do we think He would say?  Would we be willing to implement His instructions?  The fact is that God has given us answers in His Word, the Bible.  Just like with so many other matters of life, mankind has chosen not to seek those answers (see Hos. 4:6).

For instance, how many parents know that it is explicitly stated “Children, obey your parents in the Lord:  for this right” (Eph 6:1)?  That is correct parents, God expects your children to obey you (see Acts 5:29).  That means that parents have the responsibility of being mature authority figures in their homes.  Children should not be allowed to dictate to the parents how things are going to be!  Too many children have been harmed because they did not learn a respect for authority from their parents.  When a child is constantly allowed to have his own way, or is repeatedly kept from being punished when he disobeys, then he becomes “spoiled”.  That is a good word for it too.  Think about a piece of meat that has spoiled.  I doubt that most would think, “that is the piece of meat that I want for supper tonight.”  Why can we see that so simply with meat, but yet many do not see it with their own children?  So, parents, do we put our trust in God and His Word, or do we put our trust in the opinions of men?

Also, while we are not under the Old Testament today, we can still learn from things of the past (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11).  Notice , “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15).  Also, “Withhold not correction from the child:  for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Prov. 23:13-14).  Then there is, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son:  but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24).  Do we put our trust in God and His Word, or do we put our trust in the opinions of men?

Then there is the statement, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:  but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).  That might be another verse that many parents do not know is explicitly stated.  God expects a man that fathers a child to “bring up” that child.  It is sad how many children have no father in their homes.  While I understand that some men have died, the fact is that multitudes of children live in fatherless homes because of choice.  Fathers should have more impact in their children’s lives than making sure a check is sent every month.  It is the duty of fathers to make sure that children learn about God and His Word.  The Israelites were instructed, “Hear, O Israel:  The LORD our God is one LORD:  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deut. 6:4-9).  Solomon wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).  Can you just imagine what the impact would be if every father took his responsibility seriously?  Do we put our trust in God and His Word, or do we put our trust in the opinions of men?

I plead with parents to take their roles seriously.  We are not helping the next generations when we refuse to do our parts.  “The rod and reproof give wisdom:  but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Prov. 29:15). “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul” (Prov. 29:17).
~Corey Barnette