Devotion: Train Your Children

Scripture tells us “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).  We kind of like the way “The Living Bible”translates this verse.

“Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it” (Proverbs 22:6 TLB).

We see here that not only are we to train up a child in the way he or she should go, but we are to teach a child to choose the right path and when the child is older, the child will not depart from that right path but will remain or stay on that path.  “The Amplified Bible” translates the passage this way:

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 AMP).

According to this translation, we are to train up a child in the way that he should go by “teaching the child to seek God’s wisdom and will for the child’s abilities and talents.”  It was surprising to note the other passages associated with “training up a child in the way that he should go.”  The most recognized phrase that supposedly comes from scripture says, “spare the rod, spoil the child,” which is the modern-day translation of “Proverbs 13:24.”  Below are those passages that are the instructions for the parents followed by those passages that are the instructions for children.

“And now a word to you parents.  Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful.  Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice” (Ephesians 6:4 TLB).

“A youngster’s heart is filled with rebellion, but punishment will drive it out of him” (Proverbs 22:15 TLB).

“Sometimes mere words are not enough—discipline is needed.  For the words may not be heeded” (Proverbs 29:19 TLB).

“Don’t fail to correct your children; discipline won’t hurt them!  They won’t die if you use a stick on them!  Punishment will keep them out of hell” (Proverbs 23:13-14 TLB).

“Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope.  If you don’t, you will ruin his life” (Proverbs 19:18 TLB).

“Scolding and spanking a child helps him to learn.  Left to himself, he brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15 TLB).

“If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him; for if you love him, you will be prompt to punish him” (Proverbs 13:24 TLB).

“Discipline your son and he will give you happiness and peace of mind” (Proverbs 29:17 TLB).

“Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you.  Honor your father and mother.  This is the first of God’s Ten Commandments that ends with a promise.  And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing” (Ephesians 6:1-3 TLB).

“You children must always obey your fathers and mothers, for that pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20 TLB).

“A rebellious son is a grief to his father and a bitter blow to his mother” (Proverbs 17:25 TLB).

“A wise youth accepts his father’s rebuke; a young mocker doesn’t” (Proverbs 13:1 TLB).

Remember this: If we abandon and forgo the precepts about training children and train up our children without discipline, then in the end, we will have no one else to blame but ourselves for the bad fruit that will be produced from our actions or in some cases our inaction.  This message is by no means a license for parents to physically or emotionally abuse their children, but a message about suggestions and godly advice set forth by our Heavenly Father on how we, as his children, should train up our children with the loving discipline that he himself approves.  And remember to always pray, asking the Father from above for wisdom and understanding when it comes to the interpretation and discernment of these passages.  As parents, it is our responsibility to train up our children in the way that they should go according to the instructions put forth in God’s word, if we don’t, then someone else or something else will.

May today’s devotional message abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and give you a new perspective on training up your children.  We pray that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

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