‘A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away’ Prov.22:15

‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him’ Prov.22:15 [KJV]. As a parent, God has placed you as a shepherd over your child. It is your duty. You have to guide them with help from the Holy Spirit along the paths of righteousness. Children typically do not know what is wrong or what is right. As a parent who has the Holy Spirit, you have to guide them in their decision making and when you do that the Bible says ‘they will not depart from it’. Will it require you being hard on them? Yes it would and you have to be ready to correct them as often as is necessary. Your responsibility is not different from that of a Pastor; you will have to give account of your children [1 Tim.3:4]. They are to be treated with as much care as the talents Jesus described [Matt.25]. The reality is that if you do not discipline your children, they will discipline you. If you do not put your foot down, they will step out of line. Parents these days are so consumed with being friends to their children. Are you supposed to be friends? You are their parents not their friends. Your role as a parent comes first. You have to keep your focus on what that child will turn out to be. Train your child to stand even when you are not there because the truth is you will not always be there. Friendship will come later but first focus on the formative stage of their life. When you correct your child you are rescuing his/her soul from destruction. The converse is also the case, when you don’t, you are killing that child’s future. You find teenagers who are behaving badly. For some of them when you trace it to the roots, you will discover that their parents have no part in their upbringing. Some of them simply do not know what is acceptable. You cannot live your child by his/her self.

While we are striving to keep the essence of our communal culture, we must diligently shepherd our children along the paths of righteousness.

Prayer: Father, teach me to shepherd my children according to Your precepts. Lord, I ask that by Your Spirit, You teach my children to love righteousness and hate iniquity in Jesus Name.