Building Men and Women of God (4)
Teach your children to handle temptation. Tell them to expect it and not be overwhelmed by how often they face it. ‘...Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.’ (James 1:14 KJV) Your children need to know how to handle two powerful sources of temptation. First, temptation in the area of sexual sin. Leave it to television and the internet and your children will be enticed to experiment with behaviours that destroy their health, relationships and life. And they need more than a brief, embarrassed ‘birds and bees’ talk. Instruct them early, regularly and clearly. ‘My son… the lips of an adulteress drip honey… but in the end she is bitter as gall… her steps lead straight to the grave… Keep…far from her… At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.’ (Proverbs 5:1–11 NIV) Solomon spelled it out for his children. Do likewise. Second, temptation in the area of addictions. Again Solomon is right on the mark: ‘...Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine…’ (Proverbs 23:29–30 NIV) The addict’s life is not fun! ‘In the end it bites like a snake… Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things’ (Proverbs 23:32–33 NIV) Don’t let the enemy deceive your children. Pray faithfully, speak His life-changing Word into their hearts, believe God and watch Him work!