Written by Victor Chukwu
It is becoming very obvious to me, that there are many factors that influence the soul content of many kids. Though I have been working with children and youths in the church for many years, it has never been so real to me as it is now. Watching my three year old beautiful girl grow, I am amazed at the words, gestures, actions and reactions, of which I know I and my wife did not teach her. Sincerely, I am so scared at the amount of influence the outer environment has on her, even at such an early age. Even with so much restrictions on the type of TV shows, YouTube videos, social media accounts, friends and all, there is still so much influence. A minute of your child’s interaction with another kid, is already a lot of exposure. It has become a big battle for influence on your kids. The easiest way to lose this battle is to be passive about what influences your kids. I am highlighting some of my thoughts, as to what actions to take in battling for your kids:
Pray for them: Though it may sound like a spiritual boycott of parental duties. But prayer is a place where you communicate with God about your kids. Prayer is a two way communication; while you tell God about your child, he is also telling you about your child. Prayer is a place of revelation, light and discernment. God tells you what you never knew, and guides you with weapons to battle for the soul of your child. There is nothing physical that cannot be controlled with the spiritual.
Spend Time with them: Spending all time working for your kid’s care without actually spending time with them, is just like shooting yourself on your foot. I noticed that in the moments of spending time with them, you will get to know them better, and you might create a chance to reveal what they may have been exposed to. That will give you an opportunity to deal with pressing issues as being revealed to you.
Teach them: As kids grow, parents are their models. They hold their parents as their mini-gods. Time should also be given to teach the word of God. There is nothing wrong with indoctrinating them with the word of God as they grow. The bible says “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:7 KJV.
Train them: Training is not the same thing as teaching. Training involves testing your children to know if they understood what you have taught them. Most times, we teach and not give them the opportunity to make a choice. We still make choices for them, and when they begin to make choices, we are no more there to guide them. I believe life is a journey, and the adolescent stage is an important testing period. All kids will go through a lot of testing periods. Adequate training will help a child greatly during those periods. The bible says “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 KJV.
These are my few points, I am very sure there are still more points you could add. I am also in the learning process. I believe God will make all things well. This is my prayer; “Let our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, an our daughters like corner pillars fashioned for a palace”. Psalm 144:12 AMP. Our children will grow in stature, wisdom, favor with God and man. Amen.
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