Children Are An Heritage (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Children Are An Heritage (4)

Dear Reader,

I want to specially welcome you to this edition in our series on Child Training. For the past few weeks, by the enabling power of the Holy Ghost, God has opened our eyes to fundamental truths on child training.

I believe by now, you have started having a nice time in your relationship with your children. It is my prayer that as you apply yourself to these eternal truths, great peace shall envelop your home in Jesus’ precious name!

Today, we will examine “Discipline and Child Training.” Discipline means training a child to be obedient and self-controlled. It is important that you understand that for child training to be successful and efficient, discipline must be involved. Until discipline is added to training, it remains only a teaching. God’s Word says: He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity (Job 36:10).

Two things are mentioned in this scripture, the opening of the ear to discipline and returning from iniquity. In other words, if you want your children to return from iniquity i.e. to return from anything that is contrary to righteousness in words, thoughts, behaviour and lifestyle; their ears must be open to discipline. If you do not want iniquity to reign in the lives of your children, first, you must open their ears to discipline.

Therefore, the place of discipline is of utmost importance in making child training effective. Lack of training makes a child susceptible to destruction. 1 Samuel 3:13 says: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

For example, Eli the priest neglected child training which led to the destruction of his two sons and he too was eventually destroyed. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name!

Now, I am sure you are wondering how to go about it, if the issue of discipline is so important. I will share with you two ways by which you can discipline your children, so that their training can be of benefit to you.

TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE

The Rod

The rod is a tool for discipline. The word “rod” in Scripture can be interpreted in two ways, namely the spiritual rod and the physical rod. The spiritual rod is described in Isaiah 11:1: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The rod, here, is talking about Jesus. Also in Revelation 19:13, the Bible says: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Still talking about Jesus, the Bible calls Him the Word of God. The rod primarily means the Word of God. When I said the rod is a tool for discipline, I simply meant using the Word of God to discipline your children. It is important for you, as a parent, to understand that the strongest rod to use in child training is the Word of God. It is much more powerful than any physical cane.

Now, the question is: How do I use the Word as a rod to correct my children? For instance, if your child misbehaves and you want to discipline him or her, you will need to locate a scripture or two that will show that the deeds of the child are wrong.You call the child, sit down with him, and show him from the Word why his deeds are wrong. With the help of the Holy Ghost, let the child see the need to change his character and action; make him realise that God is not pleased with such behaviour.

After you have done this, leave the child alone to make up his mind. The Word expounded unto him is Life, after you have gone physically, it will continue to work upon his life.

Hebrew 12:4 says: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Only the spiritual rod has the power to penetrate the soul and the spirit of the child and effect changes in the positive. From today, begin to use the spiritual rod in disciplining your children, and bringing them up in the fear of the Lord.

The physical rod could also be used for discipline. The physical rod referred to, here, is “the cane.” Proverbs 23:13-14 says: Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Once in a while, it may be necessary for you to use a cane to discipline your children. This should be done occasionally, so that it does not become a way of life. When using the cane to discipline, ensure that you do not overdo it.

Do not bruise your children in the process of beating them. This hardens their hearts and whatever discipline you instill in them will not bring a lasting solution. The physical rod should be used with care. Do not give room to careless and uncontrolled beating.

Although the use of this rod is not a sin, it is important that you to understand that there is a limit to how far this rod can go.It can only be used to torment the body; it cannot affect the soul or the spirit of your children. But the spiritual rod, which is the Word of God, can penetrate from the physical realm to the realm of the soul and the spirit, bringing about discipline even when you are not there physically. Do not buy a special cane for the purpose of discipline; rather lay emphasis on the spiritual rod; the Word of God.

Prayer

Prayer is a spiritual weapon that can be used to bring about discipline in the lives of your children. Prayer power makes child training easy, because it molds them spiritually. As a Christian parent, who desires disciplined children, you must spend time to pray with and for your children daily.

Mother Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, was a woman of prayer.She spent time – an hour daily praying for each child. No wonder, her children were foremost among the people who changed and affected their world positively, with impacts that are still being felt today. You can also do the same. Your children need your prayers. Do not faint in praying for them.

If you put these tools to work, child discipline will become the easiest thing to do.

In conclusion, I will like to say that there is no way you can discipline your children, if you are not disciplined yourself. It is my prayer that God will grant you grace, to do your responsibilities towards your children. You will not fail in Jesus’ precious name!

The ability to effectively discipline your children, is a product of grace and grace is only available to the redeemed of the Lord. To become a child of God, you must first accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour.

If you want to receive Him right now, please pray this prayer of faith with me: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

Congratulations, you are now born again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, youare now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).