Key Verse: Verse 24 - “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."
Key Words: strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel
Have you ever given much thought to the world in which our children live? They are under authority all day long! Do this! Don’t do that! They are constantly in subjection to Mom and Dad, and on occasion they are not only going to disagree with you, they are going to disobey you; thus the stage is now set for the clash of the wills. These clashes are not always necessary. Some of them, if not most of them, could easily be avoided by applying a few simple principles. These principles also apply to an adult and relationships with other adults.
- Be pleasable. Children automatically put up their defenses when they know the parents or a parent is seldom pleased with what they do. Let your children know when they please you (Mark 1:11).
- Be non-argumentative. DO NOT put yourself in a position where you are arguing with your child. If they know you will argue with them, you have set the stage for a clash of the wills (Ecclesiastes 10:12).
- Major on the majors, minor on the minors. Keep things in perspective. Do not make major issues out of non-essentials (Matthew 23:24).
- Avoid criticism. When correcting your child, criticism is certainly not necessary. When you criticize your child, you are building resentment in them, not respect...and again, you are setting the stage for a clash of the wills (Ephesians 6:4).
- Set the right example. If you have a tendency to have a clash of the wills with those over you, then you set the wrong example for your children (Galatians 6:7).
What to do:
✞ Apply the principles listed in this devotion.
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