We have We Gone Wrong?

It seems that our young children, especially our teenagers, are falling into peer pressure and making bad choices because of a feeling that they are not loved or respected by their parents. It can be difficult, because I know that every parent believes that he or she truly loves their children. And I am also fully aware that as a parent, you are called to enforce the rules and hand out discipline whenever your children are not behaving. You are called to discipline and Scripture even says, "Spare the rod, and spoil the child." But this rod of discipline is not about punishing your children with physical punishment. The rod was a stick used by the shepherds to gently lead their sheep in the direction they wanted. When the sheep strayed off course, the shepherd would let them know that they needed to come back on the right path. You are the shepherd of your children, and you are called to the authority of leading your children down the right path, using your rod to prod them back.

Once again, it is all about communication. When you build a relationship of trust with your children and have open and honest communication starting when they are very young, they will also return that trust and share with you some of the pressures that they are experiencing. Yes, they will at times fall into this peer pressure, and they will seek to be more independent, but they will also seek your love and security to help them when they make mistakes.

Drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and promiscuity are only three of the dangers that your teenager is exposed to. Another danger, and one that is growing at an alarming rate, is the occult. We will talk about this danger in an upcoming show.