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PLEASANT CHILDREN
To
raise children that are pleasant to be around, there are many things that you
must do. Right now, one thing comes to mind.
Do not follow your
own selfish desires - There is a way that
seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12
Actually, this was the key verse of my daughter's history studies two
years ago. As she studied the 19th and 20th centuries in Gileskirk Humanities, she realized that this verse
epitomizes modernity. . . the way that you and I see the world. We are the
product of modernity whether we realize it or not. As the Christian church
follows its own "right" way instead of God's way found in His word, it is
exhibiting this same modern mindset. As parents, too often we pass on an
attribute of pride to our children when we think we know all the right ways.
Our children pick up on this, thinking they know all the right ways as well.
We should strive to
teach our children humility instead of hubris. What's hubris? That's your
vocabulary assignment for the week. Hegemony & hubris were concepts drilled
into us as we studied modernity that year. When we believe we are in complete
control with all the right answers, we are a people filled with hubris.
However, the Word of God says that He is in control and we can not follow the
way of man because it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Do you find the
principles in the Bible to be outdated? Do you wonder how God could accomplished
anything before our modern technology and church programs? Then, you are
definitely of the modern mindset. Which mindset is your child? Which mindset
are you passing on to your children? Be sure you are teaching your children the
Biblical mindset and not the modern mindset. Most believers today do not
realize they are of the modern society, with that inkling of pride in the back
of their mind. I know I have that pride and must strive to get rid of it.
Children who exhibit
hubris are not pleasant to be around. I'm sure you have been around arrogant
children. They do not have a Biblical perspective....what are you doing to give
your children a Biblical mindset and not one of hubris???? What are you doing
to root out pride and instill humility? Once you begin training your children
in humility, you can be guaranteed that they will be pleasant and other adults
will actually enjoy them.
Kerry
Looking for more about christian parenting, specifically aimed at fathers? click here
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