Our Weakness Towards Our Children
Our weakness in the area of our children is making our children weak! Many parents today seemingly throw up their hands in exasperation and feel as if they can do precious little to impact and influence their children's demeanor, decisions, and direction. God allows parents to stand in an instrumental place in the shaping of these children while they are young, inexperienced, and immature.
Consider, if you would, a few similarities between Eli and Samuel. Both of them loved and delighted in the service of God. Both of them were judges over Israel during a dark time in the nation's history. Both of them failed to exercise good judgment and proper authority as a parent over their children, and both experienced sorrow and heartache as a result of the disgraceful behavior of their two sons. Perhaps the blunder of both men can be seen in the mistake of Eli. 1 Samuel 3:13 says,
"Eli's sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not."
Successful child rearing demands that parents stress the need for obedience to God (Genesis 18:19). Successful child rearing demands that children receive instructions on how to show proper respect towards their parents (Ephesians 6:1-4; Deuteronomy 21:20). Successful child rearing demands stern and decisive remedies for misconduct (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13, 14). Successful child rearing demands that parents impose certain restraints upon the lives of their children (1 Samuel 3:13). It may come as a shock to many parents of this age, but Eli failed because he failed to JUST SAY NO!
Parents today remark, "Growing up my folks never let me miss church for anything!" But these same parents let their children miss worship, and Bible study services, for sporting events, school functions, music concerts, or even a few extra hours of sleep because they overdid it the night before. Our parents just said, no; do we?
Parents today remark, "Growing up, my folks never allowed me to miss an evening meal." But, these same parents allow their children to live such hectic, fast-paced lives that families seldom ever eat a meal together. Our parents just said no; do we?
Parents today remark, "Growing up, my parents never let me do one rebellious act without taking me out to the woodshed and giving me a good spanking." But these same parents are the ones who go to Wal-Mart and while their children trash the store, they wring their hands and ask, "What am I to do with little Johnny! He is so rowdy! He will not do anything I ask him to. Next time, I will just have to hire a baby sitter and leave him at home." Our parents just said not and meant it; do we?
Our young people need God's instruction. Our young people need to be taught to respect the authority of parents. Our young people need to show honor and admiration for their mom and dad. Our young people need the love and discipline that parents are instructed to provide. Our young people need to hear an occasional "NO!" May God help us that we do not let our weakness in the area of our children make our children weak.
From Our Archives, 1995
By David Costello