Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
This passage of scripture teaches us that as parents, we do have a sacred obligation to train up our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, so that they may have an active reference point from which to draw their conclusions, choices, and world views. Children should be taught from very young to respect all God-ordained authority, beginning with God, and extending down to parents, elders, pastors, and civil authorities that have come into power through due process and the providence of God. It is of critical importance that we do not postpone this sacred work for any future time when the children are already grown, and when the inherited or cultivated tendencies to evil have already taken deep root in their consciences.
When the word of God is made supreme in our families, and when the principles and passages of scripture are disseminated on a daily basis, then God and spiritual things are not foreign to them, for they can relate to that with which they have become familiar. That's why the passage above speaks of having the commandments as frontlets between our eyes and writing God's word on our doorposts, meaning that everywhere the children turn, and whatsoever they do, there is God in some way, form, or fashion.
But we are not to be deceived into thinking that this will be a piece of cake, for there are times when the wills of our children will clash with ours, as they endeavor to do what they think is right in their own eyes. At these times parents must be firm and unwavering, for if we were to buckle under pressure, then the children will grow up thinking that God-ordained authority can be manipulated to suit their own fancy, and this mentality will always translate into rebellion in different ways and in various hues. Godly parents should never be found negotiating with children on principle, for if this is done they will grow up believing that God's laws and instructions are to be held in a subjective manner, and this will no doubt lead to presumptuous sin.
Eli did not enforce the principles of righteousness in his home for he was afraid to cross paths with the purposes and practices of his sons, and because of his feeble efforts in disciplining them, they grew up to be rebellious against both God and man, a situation which then made them ripe for destruction. In our day the very same mistakes are being repeated, for many parents are now afraid of their children, and some kids speak to their parents in such a manner that one wonders who is the parent and who is the child. Disrespect for God and parents should be dealt with in a signal manner, so that there may be no misgivings as to the stark difference between right and wrong. When this is done on a consistent basis, God then intervenes with supernatural help for both parent and child, and the result is often seen in a law-abiding citizen of earth, and finally of heaven.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms our sacred duty in rearing our children, and it is the will of God that wherever we nay have fallen short for any reason, that we now repent and ask Him for wisdom, guidance, and strength moving forward, so that we can address the errors in our children before it is eternally too late. Let's read:
Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!