Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.
THE LIE: "CHILDREN NEED TO GET EXPOSED TO THE REAL WORLD SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN TO FUNCTION IN IT."
THE TRUTH: "AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD."
As parents, do we want to raise children who merely learn how to function in this world? Or do we want to raise children who will shine as lights in the darkness and transform this world for Christ? Children learn from what they are exposed to. Young children are very impressionable. How can we expect them to act differently from that which we immerse them in?
If we have our children around ungodly influences for a majority of the week, should we expect to see different behavior and character traits than that which they are around so often? Do we think that they are okay because they were in church on Sunday? If you are dressed in white clothes and jump into a mud puddle does the puddle turn white? No, the opposite is true. The white clothes get muddy.
I find it fascinating that parents are amazed at the behavior of their children when they don't monitor who they are spending their time with. They say "I don't know where they learned that from; it sure wasn't from me." I know...here comes the arguement. Many say we must teach our children to be witnesses by allowing them to be around those who don't know Christ. I think you must equip your child to be strong enough in the faith so that they can truly stand for what they believe in. I am not saying that they should not be allowed to play with friends who are not from Christian families. I do believe however they will become like who they most spend their time with and as parents we must build a foundation based on God's Word.
Psalm 101 says in verse 3:
"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart form me; I will not know wickedness."
Romans 16 verse 19:
"but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil."
Do we want to raise children who fit in with the world or who are going to turn the world upside down for Christ? How do we raise children to withstand the secular culture rather than become part of it?
"Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Psalm 92:13-15
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
Who and what are you fearing? Are you fearing what your children will say when you tell them they can't wear certain things just because everyone is wearing it? Are you fearing your friends and family because they will think you are crazy for not allowing your children to go see certain movies? Are you afraid of standing out because all of your neighbors send their kids to the local public school and you want to teach your kids at home? May we fear God and stand for what is true and right.
I loved your muddy puddle analogy! It's so true! It can be difficult at times to stand for Biblical Principles, but we were never told it would be easy, just that it would be rewarded by the Founder of these principles! Even when it's difficult to stand for certain things, when it seems like EVERYONE around us is against us, God gives us the grace and strength to stand and to stand tall! All we have to do is accept it, and stand, and hold fast to His Word. The worse thing we can do is compromise, especially when it comes to teaching our children, because it sets them up for that same pattern in their life, and we consequently throw everything out the window. We basically teach them that when times are tough or it's no longer "popular", just go with the flow. AWFUL! Thanks so much for sharing. I am almost done with the book, it has been such a blessing to me!! Are you also doing the workbook that accompanies it?
ReplyDeleteTheresa, thank you for these incredible insights. It blessed my soul to read this post and I wholehearted agree. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeletegood truths today, these hit home for me because my sweet princess A has been dealing with a "mean" girl in Sunday school, and her parents are wonderful and love God, but I am pretty sure she goes to daycare as they both work full time....and she learns mean behavior. sigh. Parenting is such a hard important job!!!! =)
My mom said it to me and I say it to my son, "The Bible says that Pastors, Teachers and Parents will be judged more harshly than others when they stand before the Lord. I will have to stand before God one day and not just give an account of MY life, but of YOUR life when you were given to me to love, raise and discipline. So, I don't care what your friend's parents do, what society says or anyone/anything else. I am responsible for YOU until the law of the land says otherwise which is 18 and graduated."
ReplyDelete(I added the "graduated" part so he doesn't get any big ideas when one day he'll turn 18 in March, 3 months before high school graduation. :)
Excellent post Theresa! Thank you for sharing your heart. I do so enjoy your blog!
ReplyDeleteHello! I’m having a blog hop over at my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nycislandgal.com/2010/06/im-so-following-you-back.html
Come and leave your link so all my readers can follow you too!
Wonderful post! I love that you are combatting worldly philosophies with the Word :o) So glad to "meet" a mama with a similar heart!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of Dr. Voddie Baucham? If not, I'd do a google and/or youtube search for his stuff... he has many similar thoughts and convictions, and is sooo encouraging. We've been blessed by his ministry.
xoxo
Awesome post! This is why we have some friends to come to our house, so I can keep a watch..
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you Theresa! This is the same thing I would tell people when I homeschooled my daughter. She will become more like whoever she spends the most time with and I chose to teach her at home with me. We are to raise them up in the way they should go so that when they become adults, they can then know how to stand for their beliefs against the world and shine brightly to those in darkness. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for following :) I'm also following you to return the favor. Running short on time but I have it so that I can look into your blog when time frees up. Domestic duties. -- I'm thankful also as the treatment is working, I was very near to throwing in the towel prior to the clinical trial. No one just knew how close as my illness had got worse.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
great post! and so true! we must be on guard for our kids! thanks for linking this post up today!
ReplyDelete