Parents, How Are You Raising Your Children?

"J. Edgar Hoover warned, 'Juvenile delinquency is a cancer, eating away at the moral fiber of our entire nation." - Knight's Illustrations For Today

"Edward T. Mattson, a state crime bureau officer in Minnesota, commented, ' The alarming increase of crime stems from the social theories of educators who should know better. They have failed to instill fear of punishment in children and have argued that punishment would not deter crime. Punishment may not be the entire answer but it is a big portion of it. We must change the thinking of juveniles so they will realize that they will get caught and face the penalty for their crimes.'

The Bible says, 'Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.' " -  quote from Knight's Illustrations For Today

Proverbs 22:6 says - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

What Solomon was saying here was this - Dedicate, Initiate, and educate your child in the way of the Lord - steering him in the paths of justice and judgment - in paths which will be to his own profit and advantage...bringing him continuously under the means of grace - like the ministry of the Word of God...stressing his duty before God and man...setting a good example of a holy life and conversation...keeping him under discipline...and bringing him up virtuously.

If you do this - when he is older, he will not easily or ordinarily depart from this course of instruction, forsake this good way, or wear off these strong impressions.

As we look upon our world today, we see that many of our youth are displaying conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior or the law.

The finger of blame is being pointed back to the parents.

Where have they gone wrong?

Perhaps the police department of Houston, Texas could answer that question in their ten rules for producing delinquent children as found in Knight's Illustrations For Today.

If you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian - who presently has children under your care - prayerfully read these rules and see where you stand in the nurturing of these children -

"1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.

2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he's cute. It will encourage him to pick up 'cuter' phrases that will blow the top off your head later.

3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one and then let him 'decide for himself.'

4. Avoid use of the word wrong. It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.

5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around - books, shoes, and clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.

6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.

7. Quarrel frequently in his presence. In this way he will not be shocked when the home is broken up later.

8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?

9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.

10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child."

Hopefully, this message has gotten your attention.

Are you guilty of raising delinquent children?

It's not too late to change.

Cry out to Jesus for His grace to change your ways and to do things His way.

You - and the children you nurture - will be eternally glad that you did!