Making Straight Arrows out of Crooked Sticks
John H. Starkey was a violent British criminal. He murdered his own wife, then was convicted for the crime and executed. The officials asked General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, to conduct Starkey’s funeral. Booth faced as ugly and mean a crowd as he had ever seen in his life, but his first words stopped them and held them: “John H. Starkey never had a praying mother!”
For the most part, children do not create problems; they reveal them. Parents who cannot discipline themselves cannot discipline their children. If a father and mother are not under authority themselves, they cannot exercise authority over others. It is only as parents submit to each other and to the Lord that they can exercise properly balanced spiritual and physical authority over their children.
ὑπακούω (hypakouō). vb. to obey. This verb means “to obey,” with nuances of hearing and then doing.
The only limit placed on a child’s obedience is when a parent demands something contrary to God’s law.
Pateres (fathers) should be translated, “parents,” as it is in Hebrews 11:23.
Pateres (fathers) should be translated, “parents,” as it is in Hebrews 11:23.
father, male parent (Lk 2:48; Heb 12:9); 2. LN 10.18 parents, both mother and father
Exasperate is from erethizō and means to stir up, provoke, irritate, or exasperate.
to cause someone to feel resentment—‘to make resentful, to make someone bitter.’
Parents can take the heart out of their children by failing to discipline them lovingly and instruct them in the ways of the Lord with balance.
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in the world.
(Copyright 1982 by Dorothy Law Nolte. Used by permission.)
Discouraged children are fair prey for Satan and the world. When a child does not get “ego-strength” at home, he will seek it elsewhere. It is a pity that some Christian parents do not help their children develop their personalities, their gifts, and their skills.
If a home is truly Christian, it is a place of encouragement. In such a home, the child finds refuge from battles, and yet strength to fight the battles and carry the burdens of growing maturity. He finds a loving heart, a watching eye, a listening ear, and a helping hand. He does not want any other place—home meets his needs. In this kind of a home, it is natural for the child to trust Christ and want to live for Him.