If All Else Fails

From generation to generation, an insidious falsehood intertwines into the fabric of our everyday life. Our worldly mindset unwittingly interprets childrearing from a perspective foreign to God’s instruction. Humanity’s ignorance puts together a plan of action for their newborn according to sociologist, self-help books, and even the child’s whims. Childish whims produce a generation of spoiled brats because "Foolish is bound up in the heart of a child;" (Proverbs 22: 15 NKJV) If you doubt this, eat breakfast surrounded by eight to eleven year old hockey players. Watch the parents ignore the chair pushing, throwing food, and high-pitched screams. Parents should understand that there is a time and a place for excitement. Children lack discernment and understanding. Children need parents to apply this: ‘The rod of correction will drive it far from him.’ (Proverbs 22: 15 NKJV) What is this falsehood that destroys societies happiness?

God says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22: 6 NKJV). Anyone with some common sense understands that training comes from a manual. Armies train future soldiers according to standards of warfare and behavior. Police cadets measure up to a code of conduct manual before graduating to full time positions. Why is this different from training a child? It all starts with this lie: ‘Children are born without a training manual.’ WRONG! Where is the training manual for childrearing?

The Bible is God’s training manual. Take the dusty Bible from your bookshelf and explore with me divine training from the Book of Proverbs.

Foolishness
If a son or daughter receives little instruction, foolishness in actions and speech cause many heartaches. Don’t believe the lie that children grow out of careless actions. "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him." (Proverbs 17: 25 NKJV) Teach your son or daughter the proper place and time for excitement.

A foolish son or daughter hates instruction. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise." (Proverbs 12: 15 NKJV) Teach your son or daughter to love instructions, wise decisions bear fruit to God’s plans. "Now, therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD." (Proverbs 8: 32 – 36 NKJV)

It is better for a sibling to understand at an early age the rewards of following God’s instructions. With the rod of correction, a child learns the secret to a successful life filled with happiness. Instruct your children that: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be added to you." (Proverbs 9: 10 NKJV) or "The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened." (Proverbs 10: 27 NKJV)

What is one sign of rampant foolishness? Loud and Simple Women "A foolish woman is clamorous (boisterous); she is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places in the city, to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way:" (Proverbs 9: 13 – 15 NKJV) This unproductive life style ensnares everyone who enters into her reality. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes …." produced this lifestyle. If unchecked, a foolish daughter destroys their future home. "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." (Proverbs 14: 1 NKJV)

How do you stop a foolish child? Check into whom your children associate with. Get to know the parental standards that influence your children’s friends. God says, "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge." (Proverbs 14: 7 NKJV)

What is the second sign to rampant foolishness? Wrath "A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame." (Proverbs 12: 16 NKJV) Frustration from not getting their own way, a fool lashes out at everything and everyone. Wrath develops from anger. Anger develops from frustrations. Parents, listen up and avoid this: "A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated." (Proverbs 14: 16 NKJV) At a young age, address your children’s frustrations. Fathers, make sure that your son or daughters understand the standards. Make sure that the child can achieve the task expected of them.

The third and final sign of rampant foolishness is deceit and scoffing. "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools mock at sin but among the upright there is favor." (Proverbs 14: 8, 9 NKJV) If there is one thing a scoffer hates it is this: "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him nor will he go to the wise." (Proverbs 15: 12 NKJV) One way to correct a young fool, review the books, computer programs, and television that influences your siblings. "The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness." (Proverbs 15: 14 NKJV) If your son or daughter utters a demeaning remark about the church, parents, or other siblings, correct that habit now. Remember, God’s instruction: A wise son makes a father glad but a foolish man despises his mother." (Proverbs 15: 20 NKJV)

So, has all else failed in your childrearing? Or, have you read God’s training manual?

Copyright 2008 Patricia Charlton