Give your children convictions to live by

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV

Are you trying to keep your children under lock and key in order to keep them out of trouble? It won’t work. You’re not keeping them out of trouble, you’re simply postponing it. Things like curfews, dress codes, internet use, and checking up on their friends are part of good parenting. But when you are not around to guide them, they need sound principles to live by. And those principles can be found in God’s Word: “Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes” (vv. 6-9 MSG). Isn’t it interesting how each succeeding generation views the previous one as old fashioned and out of date? And that’s not all bad. Every generation believes there is a better way to do things, and that is the foundation for progress. That’s why getting from New York City to Los Angeles takes only six hours by plane instead of three weeks by steamship. God’s Word can stand the test of scrutiny. So instead of shutting them down, invite your children to ask questions and challenge assumptions, then help them arrive at solid scriptural convictions to live by. As a parent, there is no greater gift you can give them.

The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024