Parenting

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10

Have you ever wondered why parents worry so much about their children succumbing to peer pressure? One reason is because giving in to peer pressure was the original sin - remember Eve and the serpent.

Parents know that God created His children (Adam and Eve) and placed them in the ideal environment – The Garden of Eden. He walked with them and talked with them daily. They were well versed in His ways. They did not come from a broken home. They had no drugs or alcohol temptations. There was no television, no Hollywood, no computer pornography. There were no other young people around them who had been raised with a different set of values and expectations. They had not been educated in the public schools.

And even though God’s kids grew up in the right neighborhood, had dinner at home every evening, and had a great relationship with their dad, Satan was able to tempt them by twisting the truth and challenging what they had been taught. “You surely shall not die!”

One look at the story of Adam and Eve is sufficient to make any parent recognize their total human inadequacy to protect their children from the dangers of the world. If God, as the perfect parent had discipline issues, how much more can I expect to deal with as a parent? And so, parents are left with the responsibility to protect their children while they can, to inform them of the dangers they know they will be facing and to instruct them in the ways to avoid the dangers of the world.

Look both ways before you cross the street. If a car hits you, it will hurt. Do not touch the hot stove. It will burn you. If sinners entice you, DO NO CONSENT.

Parents know they can explain it to you, but they cannot understand it for you.

Lord, lead me not into temptation.