So often as parents we state that we have done as much as we can to bring our children up in the way that they should go. And so, when things go badly with the behavior of our children we feel we have an escape from the responsibility of what our children do. Somehow, the fact that we have tried so hard to bring our children to Christ and to walk in Christ allows us to feel unresponsible for what our children do.  But does that make sense? Let's think this through as spiritual people. Does it make sense that the child or student who has been given to me to raise up and to disciple, is anything more than what I and my spouse have poured into him? Now I am not talking about a one time occurance - a simple slip into sin that takes place in all our lives. I am talking about a life of sin for a season. How does one come to that place where sin seems acceptable to us if it is not in some way show to us by our parents.

 

In my estimation, we are, as children, the sum total of what our parents pour into us. Yes, teachers, peers, and other outward sources like T.V. have their effect upon us, but only as much as our overseers, disciplers and guardians permit.  Too often Christian parents throw up their hands in resignation to the concept that the world is too strong an opponent to overcome. When in reality it is time to realize that it is the world and the flesh that we as parents are foremost given the responsibility to protect our children from. To not win that war is to give up everything.  We must see this as our highest goal to achieve. But it starts by taking a firm hold of the responsibility for the way our children act. 

 

This doesn't mean that we now have a different person to point fingers at. And it doesn't at all mean that the children who err are not to have the consequences of such sin. This means that enough is enough. Christian parents can no longer wag their fingers and shake their heads at their children for being exactly what we taught them to be.

 

No you may have not shown them how to rebel against their teachers, but your gossiping mouth has left its mark. You may not have threatened someones life, but you show disrespect to your spouse. It matters not what our sin is, it is simply that we do sin; and to blow that off as though it isn't going to affect our kids is just plain lying to ourselves.  The sin I see in my children, derives itself from my sin. I show them every day how to sin in one way or the other. The question is, do I show them how to be right before God? Do I disciple them? Do I teach them the consequences of sin in my life so that they will avoid sin in thier lives?  Which do I do with more fervor?  The answer to that will always show up in the way my children act in an on-going manner.  Seize the Day. Can the Culture!