In our current culture's hostile climate, there has been ample discussion about our children. From some, the argument is to let children be free spirits and choose whatever they want for themselves at any age, as long as it makes them happy. From others, the argument is to fully indoctrinate them with the world, giving them little to no exposure to Scripture (because they believe that is the problem that indoctrinates children with evil). However, as believers we know that both of these approaches are far from the truth and we should not expect the world to understand what we are commanded by Scripture to do. The Bible tells us that those who do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them do not have the capacity to understand (John 14:17).
So then, what is the correct approach, and why exactly are the other options not Scriptural?
Let's start off with what we are commanded to do.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the Shema, is a great place to begin. We are commanded to talk about God, His love, our love for Him, and that He is the only God. We are to speak of these things constantly in our homes, teaching them to our children on a daily basis. That's not a suggestion, it's a command. If we aren't doing this, we are actively being disobedient. That's a hard truth for me personally, because I frequently go through days where I am being disobedient in this area, but it is something we must repent of and work towards doing better.
Another command is in Matthew 19:14 where Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Again, a command. We should do NOTHING that hinders a child from approaching Jesus. In fact, we should be making the way clearer for them to do so! Jesus said in Luke 17:2 says that, "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." We should flee ANY efforts made by others to lead our children astray. Scripture is clear that it is incredibly heinous.
Now that we have a pretty clear grasp on a few commands, why are the ways of the world wrong? Simply put: they are entirely contrary to Scripture. If we are commanded to teach our children, guide them to Jesus, and told that we would be severely punished if we decided to lead them astray, what would make a believer think that allowing them to free spiritedly "choose their own path" and run towards sinful desires would be the proper choice? We aren't afraid to correct a child if they are in physical danger. If they were to run out into the street and a car was coming, we would scream, run, and so everything in our effort to stop them and keep them safe. The powers of this world are trying to steal our children's identities. As followers of Jesus, we know where our identity is found, and in the same way we would be concerned for their physical safety, we must SPRINT to their rescue to save them from being snatched away.
Put on daily the armor of God. The shield of faith was created to extinguish the fiery darts from the evil one. May we use that shield not only for our own hearts, but to stand firmly in front of our family to block the attacks from reaching those most precious to us.
Stand firm. Protect your children. And make a clear path for them to come to Jesus.
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