Bible-Bred March 7, 2009

The scriptural instruction to parents is clear:

[D]o do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.   Ephesians 6:4

So many youngsters go astray in our post-, post-modern world because they aren’t being taught the basics about living this life decently.  We are taught in Ecclesiastes 12:13 that the overriding duty of humanity is to “reverence God and keep His commandments.”  Thus it is the parent’s duty to raise his child, first and foremost, with his spiritual well-being in mind.

The parent is cautioned to not provoke his child to anger.  This does mean that children shouldn’t be abused and ruled over with iron fists and absurd demands.  The end of this mode of child-rearing tends to be rebellion.  The child begins to resent the parent and everything associated with that parent—including God and His counsel.   Once the child becomes accountable to God, he disregards His commands and thereby puts himself in danger of God’s wrath.

If on the other hand, the parent raises the child with firm, but loving guidance—in accordance with God’s will and word—he prepares that child to address his spiritual responsibilities as he matures.  Once that child becomes accountable to God, he keeps the commandments and prepares himself for spiritual success.

Many positive trends can result from our turning back to Godly instruction—higher regard for human life (remember the Columbine incident?); respect for authority (fewer schoolteachers with mental breakdowns); sober judgment in sexual activity (lesser incidence of STDs, unplanned pregnancies, abortions); less affinity toward alcohol and other mind-altering, illegal substances….

Throughout the ages, humanity has been warned to teach future generations the way of God (Deuteronomy 4:9-10) in preparation for their coming of age.  Responsible, discerning parents have always taken this advice seriously and have instructed their children to keep the way of the Lord (Genesis 18:19).