Leave The Inspiration To God

“Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.” Proverbs 1:8-9 (NLT)


Sometimes mothers complain their children will not listen to them. This unfortunately common problem situation in families grows to greater size when the children become teens. Many believe it is inevitable for children to stop respecting their parents, and the expectation receives strong reinforcement from everything young teens see or hear from peers or the media. Disrespect in accorded social standing. That kind of opposition is tough.

God’s expectation for families is radically different. In the first chapter of Proverbs, children have a very special and very specific piece of advice with a promise attached to it. It states clearly that children must respect the value of their parents’ teaching, or their lives will be lacking the lavish blessing of God’s mercy.

Teach your children when they are young what the Bible says. If they have the teaching in front of them, they will learn to understand the blessings that come from God through you. Use the Bible as your guideline when you teach your children. When they are older, pray for God to work His words into their hearts and enable them to obey. Pray more than you try to convince them, because God knows best how to reach them. Trust that God will ultimately see to their willingness and guide them.

Teach your children how smart it is to obey God. Pray with them and teach them what the Bible says, and let God work in their hearts.