孩子们, 在所有事情上服从你的父母: 因为这对耶和华很满意 (歌罗西书 3:20)
the role of children in the family
在 上一篇文章, the role of the husband and wife in marriage were discussed. 本文内容, the role of the children in the family will be discussed. Because children also have a role in the family. Children are under their parents’ authority and are supposed to yield to their parents.
It is the will of God that children submit to their parents, honor their parents, and obey their parents in all things. 所以, it’s well pleasing unto the Lord when children obey their parents in all things,
Honoring the father and mother was already a 神的诫命 在旧约中.
It was the first commandment with a promise.
If children honoured their parents, their days would be long in the land which the Lord their God would give them (出埃及记 20:12)
这条诫命在新约中仍然适用.
If children obey their parents and through their obedience honor their parents, it will go well with them and they will live long on the earth.
孩子们, 服从你父母在主中: 因为这是对的. 尊敬你的父亲和母亲; which is the first commandments with promise; that it may be well with thee, 你可能会在地球上长寿 (以弗所书 6:1-2)
Every child is born in sin with a sinful nature
Every child is born in sin with a sinful nature (诗篇 51:5). This nature is prideful and rebellious and won’t submit to others but wants to be in charge and reign. This becomes already visible at birth.
The first thing a baby does when the baby is taken from his mother’s womb (and safe place) is cry.
A baby must adapt to the change of environment and doesn’t like that, which is characterised by crying and (later on also) refusing to do what the baby is commanded to do, like eating and sleeping.
From birth, it’s important that the father and the mother are not led by their feelings and emotions and the cuteness of their child, but be serious and consistent and raise their child from their position and role as parent and caretaker of their child and the knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word.
The parents have been given the responsibility by God to take care of their children and to protect, teach and raise them into spiritual and natural adolescents in the fear of the Lord (great awe for God).
The attitude, 行为, and life of the parents
In raising children, 父母’ attitude, 行为, and life play an important role. Parents are the example to their children. Parents show their children what submission and obedience mean through their submission and 服从上帝 and the way they treat their parents
How do they talk about the Father and Jesus, and do they what He says? How do they talk about their parents when they are not around?
Children observe, 听, and store what they hear and see in their minds and adopt their parents’ words and behavior. Children copy their words and behavior, 然而, they don’t discern what is good and what is evil.
If children notice rebellious behavior in their parents and they don’t do what is written in the Bible or treat their parents in an unworthy manner and speak negatively about them, then children copy this behavior, thinking it’s right to do.
If parents don’t live right, they shouldn’t expect their children to live right.
Whose will is stronger: the will of the parent or the child?
Almost every child has a strong will that wants to reign in the family. It’s the parent’s job to ‘break’ this will and make it subject to the will of the parents.
It’s not about what the child wants but what the parents want.
The parents (WHO 爱神 and obey Christ and walk in the ways of the Lord) have the best intentions with their children.
They have knowledge and know what is good and what is evil for their children.
Children don’t have this knowledge and discernment yet, but are controlled by their flesh (感官, 情怀, 和情绪). 所以, children should trust their parents and rely on their parents’ 知识和智慧.
If children trust their parents, they will obey them.
所以, as parents, it’s important to show your children that you love them and care for them through your deeds instead of just saying it.
How do children learn submission and obedience to God?
The submission and obedience to God already start from the beginning of the upbringing. Children learn to not do their will and always get their way, but to do the will of the parents. If children learn this and do this, they’ll be able to submit to God and do God’s will 在地球上.
If children don’t learn this and parents don’t raise their children in a right manner but give into their will and let their children have their way and make their own decisions, to please them and appease them and prevent discussions and fights in the home, then children won’t be able to submit to others (including God and other authorities) and obey them.
They shall become prideful and rebellious and not allow any other person or authority to tell them what to do. They shall only do their will and push their will to others and expect them to submit to them, just like their parents did.
Pedagogy diametrically opposes the Bible (神的话语)
Today we see, that through the interference of worldly knowledge and wisdom (pedagogy, 心理学和精神病学), which is foolishness to God according to the Bible and diametrically oppose God’s Word, and the influence of (社会的) 媒体, children are rebellious and don’t do what their parents say and want, and what God says and wants, but they stand up against their parents, 上帝, and other authorities (哦. 1 哥林多前书 3:18-21, 2 蒂莫西 3:1-2).
The spirit of the world reigns in many families
The spirit of the world, which originates from the devil and dwells in his children (children of disobedience), reigns in many families, including Christian families.
也许你认为, That may be true, but in my family, the devil can’t enter. 哦, 不?
Do you know what television programs and movies your children watch?
Do you know what your children watch on their mobile phone, iPad, or computer and with whom they communicate?
你知道吗 what kind of games they play?
Are you aware of what kind of books your children read and what kind of music they listen to?
古时候, everything was hidden, 但如今, the influence and manifestations of demonic spirits and the darkness are clearly visible on television (社会的) 媒体, 游戏, 游乐园, other sources of entertainment, ETC.
Since many parents are too busy with themselves and their daily occupations, they miss these things.
Parents, pay attention to your children
Watch your child and pay attention to your child; know what your child is doing. Hold on to God’s Word instead of the carnal wisdom and knowledge of the world, and admonish and correct your child if needed.
Do not shy away from confrontations, but confront your child, knowing that everything you do is out of love and for the best interest of your child and eventually benefits your child.
Is it easy to raise a child in this age of time? 不, it’s not easy because the world is full of wickedness and darkness. But has it always been easy? 不, every time had its challenges.
But as parents, you’ve decided and taken on the responsibility of having children and to nurture, provide, and protect them. Raising a child is a challenge, but together as husband and wife in the power and the wisdom of God and with His help, you can do it.
‘成为地球之盐’
