Disobedient To Parents

248 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 3:1,2, “ But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, (2 Tim 3:1,2) We are looking at these strength sapping influences and behaviors that will plague the church until our Lord returns. Today, let's look at being disobedient to parents. Rebellious children sap the strength of a church. For one thing they are robbing the church of their gifts, talents, and energy! Young people who have overcome the evil one and his rebellious ways are a great asset to the body of Christ! 1Jo 2:14b says, “I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.” When children live lives of disobedience to their parents and others in authority they put a huge strain on the functionality of the church. Church discipline is tested to its limits! Families often depart from churches who decide to hold their adult children accountable for their actions. Spiritual leadership qualifications are called into question of the parents of rebellious children. Paul addressed this matter in discussing qualifications for elders in the church. He said in 1Ti 3:4 that an elder must be “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);” Children rebel. They test the waters, but the Bible does give us some strategies to deal with it! Pr 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” and Pr 13:24, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” I love the word “promptly,” In theater a prompt is used to guide someone who forgets their lines, it speaks of immediate action, immediate guidance! So be prompt in your instruction, (start early, don't be late) and be prompt in your discipline, as you seek to guide your child! It's no guarantee, we all know parents who seemingly did everything by the Book and yet their children rebelled. Their rebellion is just a reminder of the tenacity of the enemy we are dealing with. A reminder of the importance of soliciting the Lord's help in this battle! We do not wrestle against flesh and blood!