| Christian Parenting: A Closer Look At Why So Many Children Don't Want The God Of Their Parents (Part 2) |
By: Aaron Clark
DEVOTION TODAY Have you had yours?
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Due to the toxic fallout of pride many Christian homes have lost their children to the
influence of evil. Because pride can be so inconspicuously present, it usually leaves both
friends and family wondering what happened. But it is very difficult to speak on pride
without touching it's root which is fear. If you look at the definition of pride which is
"inordinate self esteem", and the things we do out of fear, it's easy to see the relation.
Fear is the opposite of faith and is always supported by a lie. In faith, I esteem God highly
and I'm motivated by what He says is the answer. In fear, I esteem myself highly and I'm
motivated by what I say is the answer. In fear, I must act opposite to God to exalt the one
I esteem highly- which is me. In faith, I must act in harmony with Jesus to exalt the One I
esteem highly- which is God.
In searching out this matter and recognizing the pride in me, I found that my greatest
fear had nothing to do with God or my children; it was all about me and my own image. I
learned that it's out of pride; out of thinking higher of oneself than he ought to, that one
does whatever is necessary to uphold their own image. Remember; the epitome of pride
is man glorifying his own image; not the image of Jesus. The image of Jesus Christ is what
we are to exhibit and esteem highly. (Rom. 8:29) This is contrary to the definition of
pride which is "inordinate self esteem". So, it is in esteeming our own image over the
image of Jesus Christ that acts of pride are born. Think about it; when was the last time
you were angry with your child because what they said, did, or thought was an offense to
God?
The truth is that acts of pride are used in an attempt to escape what we fear may
become of our own image; not the image of Jesus Christ in us. Wrath, anger, and
contention are all acts of pride. Pride is rooted in fear and fear is always holding hands
with a lie. For example, if I fear shame or embarrassment from the foolish things that are
bound in the heart of every child, what are the lies associated with my fears? Lie number
one is that because we go to church and we have bible study and prayer at home, there
should be no foolishness in my child's heart. Lie number two is I will be ashamed if I follow
the Lord. So in believing that my child shouldn't be acting foolish and in fearing that their
going to disgrace the family, I get angry- very angry. Now I must turn to my own means to
uphold my own image. Now acts of my pride will leave no room for mistakes or just simple
correction; instead it will make me wrathful and merciless over things that are insignificant
to my child's spiritual health. If my child isn't exceptional among their peers, I will
constantly compare them to their peers; either consciously or unconsciously; subtly telling
them that they're not good enough. What's the lie? You're not acceptable unless you're
like everyone else and Jesus can't do anything with your two little fish and five loaves!
Pride will cause you to control your child rather than teach them self control,
constantly expressing disapproval, and demanding them to do things your way. Pride will
cause you to be mean, dry, manipulative, wrathful, and sarcastic; all in an attempt to
escape what you think the child will do to your image. Pride distorts the gospel and
causes all interaction with your child to be overshadowed by the fear it's rooted in. Pride
will put the light that Jesus commands us to let shine under a bed and burn the house
down. Sadly, children suffering from high levels of pride throughout their childhood will
grow up angry and rebellious not realizing that their anger towards their earthly parents is
being taken out on their heavenly Father. The good news is that we now know. Let not
your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe in Jesus also. He'll help! Hypocrisy is
the next topic to face. Until then God bless you! Peace... Click here for Part 1
Home The Gospel Ask A Question Contact Us
influence of evil. Because pride can be so inconspicuously present, it usually leaves both
friends and family wondering what happened. But it is very difficult to speak on pride
without touching it's root which is fear. If you look at the definition of pride which is
"inordinate self esteem", and the things we do out of fear, it's easy to see the relation.
Fear is the opposite of faith and is always supported by a lie. In faith, I esteem God highly
and I'm motivated by what He says is the answer. In fear, I esteem myself highly and I'm
motivated by what I say is the answer. In fear, I must act opposite to God to exalt the one
I esteem highly- which is me. In faith, I must act in harmony with Jesus to exalt the One I
esteem highly- which is God.
In searching out this matter and recognizing the pride in me, I found that my greatest
fear had nothing to do with God or my children; it was all about me and my own image. I
learned that it's out of pride; out of thinking higher of oneself than he ought to, that one
does whatever is necessary to uphold their own image. Remember; the epitome of pride
is man glorifying his own image; not the image of Jesus. The image of Jesus Christ is what
we are to exhibit and esteem highly. (Rom. 8:29) This is contrary to the definition of
pride which is "inordinate self esteem". So, it is in esteeming our own image over the
image of Jesus Christ that acts of pride are born. Think about it; when was the last time
you were angry with your child because what they said, did, or thought was an offense to
God?
The truth is that acts of pride are used in an attempt to escape what we fear may
become of our own image; not the image of Jesus Christ in us. Wrath, anger, and
contention are all acts of pride. Pride is rooted in fear and fear is always holding hands
with a lie. For example, if I fear shame or embarrassment from the foolish things that are
bound in the heart of every child, what are the lies associated with my fears? Lie number
one is that because we go to church and we have bible study and prayer at home, there
should be no foolishness in my child's heart. Lie number two is I will be ashamed if I follow
the Lord. So in believing that my child shouldn't be acting foolish and in fearing that their
going to disgrace the family, I get angry- very angry. Now I must turn to my own means to
uphold my own image. Now acts of my pride will leave no room for mistakes or just simple
correction; instead it will make me wrathful and merciless over things that are insignificant
to my child's spiritual health. If my child isn't exceptional among their peers, I will
constantly compare them to their peers; either consciously or unconsciously; subtly telling
them that they're not good enough. What's the lie? You're not acceptable unless you're
like everyone else and Jesus can't do anything with your two little fish and five loaves!
Pride will cause you to control your child rather than teach them self control,
constantly expressing disapproval, and demanding them to do things your way. Pride will
cause you to be mean, dry, manipulative, wrathful, and sarcastic; all in an attempt to
escape what you think the child will do to your image. Pride distorts the gospel and
causes all interaction with your child to be overshadowed by the fear it's rooted in. Pride
will put the light that Jesus commands us to let shine under a bed and burn the house
down. Sadly, children suffering from high levels of pride throughout their childhood will
grow up angry and rebellious not realizing that their anger towards their earthly parents is
being taken out on their heavenly Father. The good news is that we now know. Let not
your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe in Jesus also. He'll help! Hypocrisy is
the next topic to face. Until then God bless you! Peace... Click here for Part 1
Home The Gospel Ask A Question Contact Us
Pride