Crazy Things We Tell Our Kids

Crazy Things We Tell Our Kids

Why do Christians take childrearing cues from pop psychology and social media? These influences have led believers astray, diverting attention from what truly matters—their children’s spiritual growth. Parents allow school systems and celebrities to socialize their children for fear of being labeled over-protective. In other words, Christian parents throw their children into the world and expect a good outcome. Years later, they wonder why the promising youngsters become rebellious, self-destructive atheists. What do we expect to happen? We cannot blame the world for how our children turn out.

 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

The world welcomes our youth with open arms—to groom and corrupt them. Therefore, children must be adequately trained and equipped. How else will they learn to contend for the faith, discern evil, and seek truth? Some Christian parents, preoccupied with worldly success and politics, invest little time in their children’s spiritual journeys. They offer their little ones up to Baalistic institutions and hope for the best. I hate to say it, but they would rather their children be famous, not peculiar (1 Peter 2:9). They want kids with more swagger than salvation. They encourage their children to fit in, not to be set apart. Consequently, children learn to measure their worth by carnal standards, to the detriment of their well-being and eternal life. Indeed, lukewarm parents tell their children the craziest things!

“You can be whatever you want to be.”

Many have heard it from parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, coaches, and mentors, “When you grow up, you can be whatever you want to be.” On the surface, these words seem innocent enough. After all, what is wrong with motivating children to work hard and achieve greatness? There are thousands of universities and professions to choose from, and young Christians should aspire to achieve their wildest dreams. Really? Is it wise for a child to spend his life satisfying his heart’s desires? Let’s be honest. Even adults know that what we want is often not what we need. What more can we expect from a child? It is politically correct to ask a child to self-identify and map out his future, but what a heavy burden! Inundated with social media, pressured by peers, and misled by humanist educators, many children aspire to be influencers and millionaire hustlers. In other words, a child’s desires may not align with his gifts and potential.

“You can be whatever you want to be.” How confusing such advice must be to a young believer. On the one hand, we teach him to follow Christ and keep his commandments. At the same time, we expect him to chart his destiny despite his limited understanding of the world and himself. Indeed, the world entices youth with promises of personal and professional prosperity while, at the same time, setting traps that could ensnare, numb, and possibly kill them. If parents do not train their children to follow the narrow path, the devil could lead them to the path of destruction. Ultimately, those children may gain the whole world but lose their souls (Mark 8:36).

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

I am reminded of Hannah in the Old Testament, who grieved sorely because she was barren. She often went to the temple to pray and cry out to God for a child. She promised that if he blessed her with a son, she would dedicate the boy to the Lord all the days of his life. One day, the priest Eli inquired about her strange behavior. Hannah assured him that she was not drunk but stricken with grief. Eli instructed her to go peacefully because the Lord would grant her petition. Not long after, she bore Samuel and kept her promise to God. The boy grew up with Eli in the temple.

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.

1 Samuel 1:25-28

We can learn from Hannah here. Children are precious gifts from God, and we should not take this blessing for granted. Let us dedicate our children to God from birth, raising them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Because Samuel was brought up in God’s presence, he was conditioned and positioned to hear God’s call. Though he was just a child, the Lord revealed his future. Imagine a child hearing these words from Almighty God!

And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

1 Samuel 3:11

The young boy was called to be a great prophet who would eventually anoint King Saul and King David. Indeed, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just as Samuel was called with a purpose, our children are called with a purpose, so we must train them to answer his call. Remember, Jesus Christ said his sheep hear his voice, so we cannot doubt that he speaks to children. The Lord leads and guides his people today by his Holy Spirit. Our job is to silence the cacophony of social media, educational indoctrination, and wicked entertainment. We must snatch our children from Baal’s altar and dedicate them to the Lord. Let the praises of God ring out in our homes! Let the sweet incense of prayer rise from these temples of the Holy Spirit! Then, our children will learn to trust the Lord and walk in his will, not their own desires.

“You can be who God called you to be.”

Do we trust God enough to put our children in his hands? In that way, our faith is tested. If we believe what the Lord says, our children would be inclined to do the same. Steadfast parents tell their children the truth—they are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image and created for a purpose. Therefore, they should strive to be who God called them to be. If we do not train them, the world will be happy to feed them lies and false hope. Children grounded in the truth are hard to uproot. Here are beautiful things Christian parents say to their children:

“God knew you before you were born.”

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:13-14

“Believe in Jesus Christ.”

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

“God has plans for you.”

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

“Obey, trust, and honor the Lord. He will guide you.”

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:1-6

“The world has nothing to offer.”

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

“God searches the heart.”

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

“Put God above everything else. He knows what you need.”

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

Straight Talk

Secular parenting pundits never cease to amaze me. According to them, parents should build children’s self-esteem so they can go into the world and find themselves. Atheistic scholars also urge parents to affirm whatever identity children choose and to abstain from religious indoctrination. However, some of their children are miserable, over-medicated, dark, and suicidal. God knows what is best for our children; his Word is our training manual. And so, we teach our children that their lives are hidden in Christ, and they have a bright future in him. They do not need worldly affirmation and acceptance because they are loved by the Most High God, whose only Son died to give them abundant and eternal life. Christian parents, let’s dedicate our children to the Lord and be attentive to their spiritual development. May our homes be a haven of humility, obedience, and reverence to God. And let’s be ready. When God calls our children, they will need direction. At that beautiful moment, we can use the wise words of Eli:

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:8-10