Proverbs 9:8 “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you.”

HOW DARE YOU!

As a Children’s Pastor I get to see firsthand how children respond to correction. Some accept it and change their behavior. Others simply ignore you, and finally some question your right to correct them. It is to this third one I want to focus on today.

With today’s verse in mind, as parents, we must reprove those we love, but we must do it in love. I am not saying that every child is a “scoffer.” But direct disobedience is, in a sense, scoffing at authority. I have had children, when corrected, look at me and say, “You’re not my parent!” My first thought (notice I say thought and not reply) is “And I am so glad.” HaHa.

Seriously though, we see way too much of this attitude today, even in our churches. There seems to be more and more direct disrespect for those in authority. Why are our children behaving this way? In many cases, they learn it from us. Ouch, that hurt.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do you teach your children to receive reproof? By being reprovable (Is that a word? If not, I just made it up.) yourself. A scoffer (one who laughs or ignores truth) will not receive correction. They get mad if you even mention their sin. But a wise person accepts correction and makes the necessary confession to the Lord. Are you demonstrating that for your children? Are you teachable? Are you correctable?

My flesh hates correction. I want to do what I want when I want. How dare you point out my waywardness. Who do you think you are? But the Spirit of the Lord in me convicts me and makes me absolutely miserable until I make things right with the Lord and others. Correction can be embarrassing, true. But not receiving correction is outright dangerous.

Will you be the one to bow before all the authorities that the Lord has placed over you? Little ones are watching to see how you respond. Be the example of obedience they need.