Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11
In other words, a tree is known by it’s fruit, and a man by his doings.
As a parent it can be difficult to discern what we should and when we should expose our children to certain things. But what I have learned and witnessed over the years, from childhood to parenthood is, the Word of God holds no punches when it comes to telling the truth, even to children. Now you’ve heard me say often, that the Bible has an answer for everything we face in life. But here’s the trick, you ready, we have to open the Bible to get those answers. And so it is with children. We adults are always saying they are too young for this or that, but in the Bible, children are taught from very young ages what God requires of them, how they are to treat their parents, those in authority and each other. I mean hey, there was a king who was 8 years old. It also shows consequences from wrong actions. We are living in a sin sick world – just spend 5 minutes watching the days headlines. Without God’s Word for guidance, the world will chew us up and spit us out. No one is doing your child a favor if you allow them to grow up thinking the world owes them something. They should be taught to respect authority, from parents to teachers, to pastors and their elders. They should also be told when they actions bring about bad results, as well as good. I won’t even tell you about the kids and the bear in the bible, for fear that you will think I’m condoning that extent of punishment. I’m not, just saying it is OUR, THE ADULTS, responsibility to teach children that they actions, good or bad have consequences. They need to witness the results of their actions aka those consequences.
My children are 10 and 7, and I hold no punches when it comes to telling them and showing them the consequences of their actions. Whether they disrespect me, their teacher or anyone else in authority. When they are unkind to friends or classmates at school. No matter what, I don’t allow it to slide, because one day they will slide into adulthood and disrespect others and possibly lose great advantages and opportunities, like disrespecting their first boss and getting fired, simply because we weren’t parent enough or authority enough to tell them the truth when we had the chance.
If you have children or work with children, don’t take that privilege for granted. Don’t miss an opportunity to impart into a child’s life with life long results. Stop saying what’s too much for them to know and see. Please, many of them already know and see more than we think. Equip them & prepare them to be the respectable and productive next generation.
Stop ignoring the gigantic white elephant in the room, and address it head-on, with the Word of God.
