Online Articles
Child Abuse #2
Last week we introduced the subject of child abuse. And, that child abuse is not limited to the dysfunctional misfits of the world, but is alive and well among believers. Not necessarily physical endangerment and molestation, but rather spiritual child abuse. We considered spiritual child abuse from two perspectives; Spiritual neglect and rebellion. We also concluded with the consideration that when we observe out of control children, you are seeing a miniature version of out of control parents. We'll begin again at this point.
Undisciplined children. What happened to "dad, mom and the kids" with regard to the chain of authority? Now it's the "kids, and..... uh........ oh yea,... parents. Have you noticed how well children have their parents trained these days? The public displays of undisciplined children today is inexcusable. It is nearly impossible to go to a public place and not be annoyed by children who are old enough to know how to behave but don't; because their parents have either failed to teach them or fail to enforce what they have taught them. Out of control parents allow their children to be in control. I routinely see parents running to "catch" their children in public places only to turn around and start the "chase" all over again. The Bible doesn't "suggest" but rather "commands" parents to be in control of their children. This is achieved by discipline. Hopefully, instructive discipline will get the desired results. But if fails, (and from time to time it will) corrective discipline MUST follow; (Pro 22:6); “… bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). “He that spares his rod hates his son…” (Pro 13:24); “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Even if enough "discipline" is administered to cause "crying" it must be done for the child's welfare, and the welfare of our society because, “… a child left to himself brings his mother shame” (Pro 29:15). Parents who allow their children to be a nuisance and distraction to others are permitting their children to be in control. Parents - who is control of your household?
Parents and grandparents are overheard excusing appalling behavior by saying, "isn't that cute" or "that's just the boy in him." all the while they are laughing. This only serves to develop the mindset in a child that misbehaving is tolerated and if you're humored by it, they'll have an encore. When the child becomes a man or woman, the grand finale might be life in the prison system. In my discussions with parents who've had children imprisoned, not one of them ever said "that's cute" or "that's just the boy in him." However, if this isn't bad enough, the "eternal finale" will be when they discover they were victims of the worst kind of child abuse; spiritual child abuse. And now the only thing remaining is an eternity of torment to regret their choices.
Parents, please wake up to the fact that the God of Heaven has charged you with developing your children. That requires you to discipline yourself to discipline them. He expects you to mold and shape them to be responsible adults; and even more than that, to be Christians. There will be little chance of this if you do not discipline them. Your words of guidance and discipline must be spoken with love yet firmness and followed with unmistakable action when not heeded. Otherwise, your words are empty and worthless. Next week we'll examine "spiritual mal-nutrition."
Think about it.
