Ever suffer a consequence initiated by a wrong choice, a rebellious act, or a broken relationship? I can almost hear you groan. Are you saying, “Let me count the times and ways.”
I’m right there with you.
In the early ‘60’s I deliberately disobeyed God. Forty-nine years later, the consequences of that choice continues to billow. Like a hot air balloon in the lives of my children, that decision continually soars to greater heights in troubled skies.
God is faithful to forgive our sin and rebellion when we repent, but unfortunately the consequences of our foolish choices remain. That is why it is imperative to “train up your children in the way they should go…” because when they are old the consequences of your training—whether good or bad—will follow them. Forever.
Parents, you get to make the choice of good or bad training. But you aren’t allowed to choose the consequences.
Failure to teach children the law of the Lord, and the resulting consequences, parade across the TV screen every night during the evening news. The juvenile and criminal courts are full of men, women, boys and girls caught in the consequences of ignorant or willful rebellion to God’s Word. And the failure of the church to follow God’s instruction to, “love one another,” and then, “go and make disciples,” have multiplied the consequences of bitter, hateful hearts all over the globe.
Only God can chisel the sin and shame from a hardened heart. Only God can take a hurting heart and make it healthy and whole again. Only God can rescue and transform a bitter heart into a tender and transparent one.
I wonder what the hearts of those young girls at Red Neck Heaven are becoming as they grow older? Caught in the sensual thrill of the moment, they become captives of the flesh which cries gimme, gimme, gimme. More, more, more. Do you think, after being exposed to the lustful attention of crowds of men day after day they can be satisfied in one marriage, with the attention of one man, for the rest of their lives?
Do young women brazenly use their bodies to attract young men in order to satisfy their need of an absent father’s love and attention? Have girls become so desensitized they don’t realize they are sacrificing the opportunity for God’s gift of a pure, lifelong relationship with one man? Or are they even aware of the possibility of joy and oneness in an until death do us part marital relationship, because of the examples we have given them? Could this be part of the divorce problem inside and outside the church?
And what about our young men? Mothers, you can verify the fact that your boys are pursued with a vengeance by girls with a hormonal body, a cell phone, and a computer. Mere children, exploited and bombarded with delusions of fun, pleasure, and excitement. However, the consequences are life changing. Painful. Tragic. Is it any wonder so many men are addicted to pornography—even those in the pulpit?
Is it possible when we give our children carte blanche to the whims of all that surrounds them—movies, books, clothes, attitudes of rebellious friends, fads, the list goes on—we set them up to fail?
The only answer is to teach them God’s truth, that joy and contentment in life only come when you allow God to fill the hole in your heart. Seeking success and fulfillment the world’s way will bring disappointing, lamentable, even disastrous consequences.
What are you going to do today to squash the deception that is suffocating this world, seeking to destroy your child?
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up,” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NAS).
So true. Our children are bombarded on all fronts now days when they lack the maturity to make wise decisions.
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Diane, I really enjoy your messages but when I try to print them out I only get the first page. Thank you, Linda Amos, lamos.memories@sbcglobal.net
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Linda, I will check on that with those who are more knowledgeable than myself.
DiAne
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Linda, think I’ve taken care of the print problem. Click on the print icon at the beginning of comments. Let me know if this works.
DiAne
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These thoughts mirror my own. My greatest concern is both the world around and in my grandchildren. They’ve had the “train up” but now into adulthood, with freedom to go on their own paths, will they remain faithful? The inability to escape consequences allows more room for growth built on the firm foundation of faith. Still we who are older will probably flinch for them.
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Judy, I wonder if our grandparents held the same thoughts for us? Flinch does not even cover the emotions and concerns I have for my grandchildren, and children too for that matter.
DiAne
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YES & AN AMEN TO THAT. Not enough time & energy to write all of my feelings on this topic. Conseqences if we all could learn from them & correct wrong behavior. MY moms favorite saying, daughter dont do as I do, do what I say. Having a good role model is vital. One that taiks the talk & walks a godly walk. May Our Precious Lord grant us mercy & grace to walk more humbly. To live in away that will honor & glorify Him. IF God can take a woman like Rahab the harlot with her life style, turn it around, maybe there is still hope for this old sinner. Hope, yes in GOD ALONE we have that same hope. May God give us a great revival in each individual heart to be more like His Son Jesus. That we can make a difference in our generation. “Corom Deo” . Revival: Hosea 10:12.Thank you for another topic that convicts & causes me to examine my life, much needed. God bless you & keep telling the truth.
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Deborah, thank you for so eloquently expressing our need for godly parenting but also reminding us that God will meet us where we are at and transform us into what He has planned for us to be. We just need to humble ourselves, admit we need His help and then read and obey the Word.
DiAne
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