As a little leaven spreads to permeate the whole lump of dough (1 Cor. 5:6), Christian example and teaching must be intentionally introduced into the world around us so as to fully influence it in the direction of righteousness. In a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to be at peace with the world around us, we have become the lump into which the leaven of the world has been inserted. Slowly, but surely, its influence has reached every segment of society, including the church. “What can the righteous do?” (Psa. 11:3). We can teach our children. The wrong kind of teaching got us into this mess and only the right kind of teaching can get us out of it. We must teach our children about God and His purpose for their lives as it is revealed in the Bible. We must also teach them to respect authority, beginning with God but including respect for parents and civil authorities.
Children first learn respect through the loving and consistent discipline of their parents. It is not the primary responsibility of the government, the school system, or even the church to discipline the next generation. It is the God-given duty of fathers and mothers to discipline their children in accordance with the principles of God’s inspired word. Fathers are told to bring up their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Correspondingly, children are commanded to “obey [their] parents in the Lord” (vs. 1).
Children are not like so many weeds allowed to grow up in the garden. A conscious and consistent effort must be made by parents to encourage what is right and discourage what is wrong. Without a proper moral foundation of their own, parental efforts to train their children will consist of little more that the blind leading the blind. Both will fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14). We must both teach and model right behavior before our children. The Scripture says, “My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you” (Prov. 6:20-22). Truly blessed are those who have received such training in the home!
Discipline includes not only instruction, but also reproof (Prov. 6:23). There are times when the proper administration of punishment is required in order to guide the heart of a child in the direction of righteousness. A child “who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15b). Every child will test the authority of his or her parents. If parents surrender to the will of their child, they are teaching disrespect for authority. In spite of having outgrown temper tantrums, many have never learned the importance of submitting to legitimate authority. Some parents, believing they have lovingly provided their children with the gift of freedom; have, instead, robbed them of the blessing of loving obedience–obedience to their parents and other authorities and then to God before whom we must all bow in humble obedience. The “rod” (consistent, loving discipline) must be applied to our children for the good of the family, the church, society at large, and for the benefit of our children in getting along with others and pleasing God in this life and in the life which is to come.