Believing What God Says
Pages 173-178
As we proceed through Chapter seven, we discover a lie that affects many practical decisions parents make for their children. Many parents believe that their children need to learn at an early age how to get along in the "real world," or they'll never be able to fit in.
The truth is that God never intended for us to know evil by experiencing it for ourselves. It's important that children be protected from personal exposure to evil until they have had time to develop a love for God and a good understanding of right and wrong. Then, they will be able to make good choices based on firm convictions.
28. The Lie: Children need to get exposed to the "real world" so that they can learn to function in it.
The Truth: Our task is not to raise up children who can fit into this world or merely survive it but to bring up children who will be used by God to change our world.
Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
The Truth: Like young, tender plants, children need to be protected from worldly influences until they are spiritually mature enough to withstand them.
Romans 16:19, "For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil."
The Truth: The fear of the Lord and a vital personal relationship with God are the best means of preparing children to withstand secular culture and to make a difference in our world.
Psalm 92:13-15, "Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
The next lie is the assumption that all children must go through a rebellious stage. The truth is that if parents expect their children to rebel, then they probably will.
29. The Lie: All children will go through a rebellious stage.
This deception permeates even Christian communities and reveals that parents have placed their expectations upon what the world tells them, rather than on God Who keeps His promises.
The Truth: If parents expect their children to rebel, they increase the likelihood that they will do so.
Genesis 18:17-19, "And the Lord said, 'Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.'"
The Truth: God promised a blessing to parents who keep His covenant and who teach their children to do the same.
Psalm 103:17-18, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them."
Acts 2:39, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
We know that parents cannot force their children to walk with God. They can, however, model godliness and cultivate a climate in the home that creates an appetite for God and is conducive to the spiritual nurture and growth of their children.
As mothers, we must all pray for our children and trust earnestly in the the Lord Who made this promise in Isaiah 54:13:
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.
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