Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
This is a ‘promise’ from the word of God and it tells us if we train (educate, instruct, guide, prepare, coach) our children in the way to live they will not depart (leave, quit, leave behind) from it.
It does not mean just when we teach our child the ways of God; it means however you raise your children when they are young it will determine the kind of adults they will become. Whether you teach them the ways of God or the ways of the world they will follow your example regardless of what you say.
Children learn what they live, by example - their parents example. You can tell a child to do as you say and not as you do until you are blue in the face, and I guarantee they will do as you do in the end.
If you child grows up in a home where lying, yelling, swearing and selfishness, racism, disrespect and inconsideration is the example, that is how they will behave as adults.
Children are born with the natural inclination to lie, be selfish and even be stubborn. It is in our human nature living in a fallen world. As parents your job is to teach them what is right and wrong, what is acceptable behavior as well as acceptable attitudes. But all the discipline in the world will not work if you are not living by those standards in your own life in front of your children!
Do you lie and then get mad at others when you are lied to? Your child is going to grow up believing its OK for them to lie but not OK for someone to lie to them. You are teaching or training them as the bible says to be a hypocrite as well as a liars. It’s OK for you to do something but then get angry when someone else treats you that way.
Do you use profanity around your child? Then your child will grow up to use the same kind of language. And with the kind of language used in most movies and music today not only are they learning from their parents using foul words is acceptable but they are getting that same message from the media all around them.
I can’t tell you the times I have seen foul words used by teens and younger on Facebook. The really sad thing is I have also seen some parents and other relatives using the same foul words in conversations on Facebook with their kids. Is it any wonder you hear profanity coming out of the mouths of kids in public places? It is how they are being trained.
There was a time when using foul words around others was considered disrespectful. Now it appears anything goes even for children and teenagers.
What aggravates me is parents who say there are certain movies or music they won’t let their kids listen to because of language yet they use that same language in their home around their child. The way you live your life around your child is going to have a greater impact than those movies or songs.
Yes I know kids are under a lot of peer pressure today, however if you have been teaching your children from the time they are very young what is right and what is wrong they will be more able to stand up for doing the right thing in the long run. Train up a child in the way he/she should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.
2 Comments
i don't think kids learn how to be manipulative is the way to think about it .. rather .... parents teach the need to be manipulative
Very good point Vic....I know a lot of kids who have been taught very well.