Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 019 - How to Help My Child Find and Live God's Biblical Truths
Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast
Episode #019 – How to Help My Child Find and Live God’s Biblical Truth
Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, when I raised my first set of children, the majority of Americans considered themselves Christians. Now only an approximate 65% of Americans identify as Christian. Even worse, I recently heard nearly 70% of born-again Christians disagree with the biblical position that Jesus is the only way to God. Haven’t they ever read John 14:6-7, which says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
Times have certainly changed. To be honest, although it sounds judgmental, and I certainly do not mean it that way, the truth is that many who label themselves as Christian simply do not live a biblicallifestyle that supports their claim. I often tell my teenaged daughters that they are living in a generation that needs to be able to defend their faith. In this current day, not only are Christian beliefs ridiculed, but Christians carry (or should carry) a reflection of holiness, through the Holy Spirit within us, that those who do not believe are offended by. If a Christian convicts the world simply by carrying the morals and truths of Jesus, we know that the world is actually repulsed by Christ because darkness exists in their soul. In fact, the Bible warned us of this happening.
If the virtues we carry are found offensive, causing us to be hated, those in disagreement will lash out in fear or shame, whether they realize it in the moment or not. As the world moves deeper into sin and away from the solid foundation of Christ, the more justified those living in transgression feel about themselves and their choices. The kingdom of darkness rules this world, and the words found in 1 Peter 5:8-9 are eternally true. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Our children are growing up in a world that does not seek truth. Look around at programs enticing our children and luring them to the world of sin such as the new cartoon, “Little Demon.” Our culture is desensitizing adults and children with television shows, movies, books, magazine, music, and even phone filters, such as one I saw this week. It actually turns the face of the viewer into a devil. What parent would ever allow their child to use such an app or filter? Obviously more than we probably think. Whether the parents realize it or not, every choice they make (or don’t make) that isn’t purposely done for Christ through an eternal perspective, their child is drifting closer to Satan.
Relative truth reigns in our culture and is extracted from whatever anyone wants to believe (or hopes is real), and actually stands for nothing. Even schoolrooms promote anti-biblical agendas that are destroying the fabric and soul of our children and nation. God’s truth is the only authentic and lasting source of integrity. Authored by Truth, God’s words and ways show us and our children the only way to live with hope, love, trust, faith, and purpose.
Do you desire to raise a child who walks with Jesus in truth and confidence?
Or would you rather parent a confused child who will never experience the love, joy, or peace of one following the Lord?
In John 15:18-19 Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
Do not misunderstand. As God warned that the devil is prowling this world looking for victims to deceive, we must be ever mindful or we will fall prey to his schemes. Our nation and the families within it are more divided than I have seen in my lifetime. If we are not reading, studying, practicing, and teaching God’s commands and warnings of the Bible, we are walking in step with the deceiver of this world and playing directly into his hands.
Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This verse is one of several lines of Scripture in the Bible in which God clearly allows us to hear exactly how He wants us to live and direct our children to Him.
1. Act justly – People will try many things in an attempt to please God, but in the ways they desire. Living with an eternal perspective, however, and mentoring that mindset to our children will lead us (and them) straight to God’s word. Instead of guessing what God desires or selfishly doing what we want, His commands clearly show us the way to please and honor Him.
2. Love mercy – When we live in ways that honor God, and we treasure His word, we will become more Christlike in character. To walk justly and love mercy means that we are fair in dealing with others and show mercy, even when it is not deserved. Our actions reach and teach our children more quickly than our words. We truly begin to live more like Jesus did.
3. Walk humbly with God – As we know God more clearly through time spent in His word, in prayer and fellowship with Him, and we listen to His voice and direction, we will step in alignmentwith His desires. As we obediently submit where He calls, we humbly walk with our Father. As our children see this example, and we communicate the importance of living in this way through loving ways, they will be drawn to the same attitude toward God and much more likely to choose an eternity-driven mindset and lifestyle.
We cannot live in this manner through our own strength. Our children cannot live like this without knowing Christ, hopefully through our patient and loving mentorship. Only Christ can equip any of us to live in ways that please and honor our Heavenly Father.
Godly influence must be present in our home or our children will follow the leadership of the world.
They must have the moral compass of God existing in their heart and mind to be able to recognize the lies of this world. They must wear the armor of God to be protected from the trappings and lures of this world. That means we must be a true north that keeps our child connected to the true compass, God. Throughout the Bible, God makes the way to a joyful life that is pleasing to Him clear for us to follow. As pursue the Lord’s ways and truths, we are able to direct our children to an abundant life.
Micah 7:1-2 says, “What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.”
What will become of our children and their children if godly influence disappears entirely in the world?
Micah 7:3-4 says, “Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion.”
What will become of our children and future generations if we continue with escalating violence, along with business and political corruption?
Micah 7:5 says, ”Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.”
What will our world be like when future generations live with unfaithful friendships and no allies?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Strength is in numbers and a threefold cord is not broken.”
Micah 7:6 says, “For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.”
Through all of the indoctrinations and deceit in our world today, we already see children dishonoring parents. When public schools and government officials seek to remove parental rights, teach radical thoughts and lies, remove history from schools, and introduce perverted lifestyles and values to minors, more and more families will be broken, hurting, and separated from each other and our Lord.
Micah 7:7 says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Our only hope comes from a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As the world continues down a slippery slope of our own selfish and distorted making, nothing will change hearts except Jesus and the truths of God.
Actions stem from what is already held in the heart and reflect what is ruling the mind.
Christ came to deliver us from self and sin.
John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Trust in the Lord. Seek Him and His ways. Know His teachings so that you and your child can follow a life of abundance, peace, and love that this world cannot know without Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father. There is none like You. Your love for us is greater than we can ever imagine. Your truths are for our good and protection. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for letting our children down when we seek to raise them in our own strength instead of relying on Your truths and commands that lead to life eternal with You. Father, keep pursuing us. Do not let us lead our children astray. Help us to raise them in the image of Christ and allow You to build up the foundation beneath them that will weather the future of this nation and the plans You have for them. Help them to make a difference for You because they carry Your joy, peace, love, and truths within them. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture.
I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.