Wayward Children – Sunday Thought For The Day

The insolence and blatant lack of respect many children show their parents today is tragic.  To which I add, said is not age restricted.

We as true born again Christian parents can do everything right to the very best of our ability and yet our children can turn against us, be disrespectful, snarlish and inconsiderate.  No matter how well we raise them, they can make choices in their personal lives that we as Godly adults intuitively know are going to be fraught with undesirable outcomes, both personally and spiritually.

Our sons and/or daughters can take spouses with a Jezebel spirit or who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).  Neither of those demonic traits are limited to the unsaved, which is what makes such demonic traits so insidious.

Children treating their parents as if the parents were children and not the ones who raised them, cared for them and nurtured them, is today far too commonplace.  I could go on siting numerous other godless behaviors committed by many children, both adolescent and/or adult, including those raised in solid biblical, Christ-centered homes turning to the abomination of homosexuality and abortion.

But, here is the bottom-line.  The enemy of our souls hates us and is committed to corrupting and/or destroying that which God has created.  Destroying the family and leading our children into paths of disobedience is primary to Satan’s cause.

As parents, we must raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  We must set Godly examples.  That said, if at some point in time we fail to live a godly example, we must not make peace, i.e., become comfortable living in the continued sin of our transgression.  We must example confession and repentance.

Every father/mother who has dealt with or is dealing with this issue does so with a heavy heart.  I wish I had the answers, but I do not.  Solid biblical Christian counseling is certainly one avenue to suggest for the rebellious, insolent child or the adult child.  But, in the refusal or absence of same, we ultimately have limited choices.  If they are adult(s), we can explain that we love them but, we are not going to permit them to bully and disrespect us.  We can try to explain the godless dynamics of their behavior.  We can try reasoning with them; explaining our parental position.  Depending upon the hostility, we may take the position of explaining our love for them, but that we are not going to tolerate their disrespectful behavior, and it would be best for them not visit until they can treat us with respect; even if there are grandchildren involved.  We cannot abide sin and disobedience out of misplaced love.

God is long-suffering, but He doesn’t make peace with sin and disobedience and neither should we as parents.

At some point, we can remind them of Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. It is not just a collection of words.  It is a statement of fact.  God sees all and knows all.  And the reality is, if they do not repent God will humble them, even if it takes until they stand before Him.

At some point, we must leave the hardhearted child to the Lord.  We love them and most importantly we must pray that God will soften their hearts and bring them to repentance.  I know some reading this are experiencing this hardship.  But, to them I say, be faithful and be firm in the Lord.  He alone can soften the hardest heart.  Let us, as parents do our best by the power of the Holy Spirit in us to live righteously before God and man.

God can do what we cannot.  I know, because He changed me when it appeared that I would be lost forever.  If God could change me, there is hope for all.  We cannot stop believing that God hears our prayers and will do what we cannot.

READ:

Proverbs 5:1-2 (KJV)

5 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.