P.O. Box 682

West Chester, Pennsylvania  19381

Phone: 610-383-7097
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Words of Wisdom

by Pastor Michael T. Keenan

July 2006

Building Godly Homes - Part IV

Mark 3:25 " And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

God's people cannot live in violation of the Word of God and expect God's blessings on their lives and families.  Husbands and wives must be in Absolute Agreement in some very important issues.

I. Authority - see May '06 Article

II. Doctrine - see June '06 Article

III. Discipline

When parents are not in agreement on the Discipline, Training, and Correction of children, the children will work one parent against the other so he or she can get their way.

Once again I emphasize that for Bible Believing Christians, the Bible (AV1611) is supposed to be our final Authority in Faith and Practice.  How should we Train, Correct & Discipline our children?  How can we have a 'Home' where the peace of God reigns, not screaming, threats, tirades, and confusion?

First let me say, it is Impossible to have a peaceful and godly home with disobedient, rebellious, self-centered "brats"!  The number one goal in godly discipline is willing, joyful obedience.  God wants His children to willingly and joyfully obey Him.  That should be our desire for our children. (Probably would help if our children witnessed their parents willing and joyful obedience to the preaching of the Word of God!)  God is going to hold us accountable for training and disciplining of our children.  Eph. 6:4 - "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD."  What would lead us to think that if our children at young ages will not obey or respect authority, that when they hit their teens they will?  God's design for child training is outlined for us in The Book of Proverbs - Prov. 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go..."  Train is a military term and one of the most important parts of military training is "instant obedience to orders."  If we don't train our children to obey:

  1. Right Away
  2. With at good attitude and without murmuring and complaining
  3. To the best of their ability

- We are not training scripturally.   Prov. 13:34; 19:18, 23:13,14; 22:15; and 29:15,17 teaches the Bible doctrine of loving discipline applied with reproof, correction and the rod of correction.  One of the main problems of child discipline is the lack of consistency on the part of both parents.  Prov. 10:4 "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the had of the diligent maketh rich."

Children are given by God to be a rich blessing. (Ps. 127:3)  But children not brought up scripturally often end up being a curse. I Sam. 2 & 3, Eli and his sons rebellion.

Husbands and Wives need to study the Word of God together and pray fervently for the Wisdom of God together and pray fervently for the Wisdom of God to bring up their children for the Glory of God.