“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth” (Psalms 127:3-4). We all love our children, and we want to know how to help them best spiritually. It might make a greater impact to see what will, in essence, ruin them.
- Let them have plenty of money to spend as they like.
- Permit them to choose their companions without restraint or guidance.
- Let them spend their Sundays in worldly activities or with friends with no concern for the Lord’s day.
- Allow them to go out at night and return home as they please.
- Teach them to expect pay for helping at home and serving others.
- Let them think that good manners are a substitute for good morals.
- Do not trouble to interest them in the Bible or convert them to Christ.
- Make no inquiry as to where and with whom they spend their time.
- Let them see that you think attendance at services is not important.
- Never let them hear you pray, especially not for their salvation.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This is a general principle, not an absolute law. But one can surely see that if you follow these ten simple steps, your children will have little respect for you and little respect for God. Children will develop their own choices, but these are largely determined by the parents.
Adapted from B.C. Goodpasture