Things I Heard Growing Up That I Wish I Would Hear Today
Title- lesson for parents and young people.
"You thought of it, you do it."
Article- "I don’t have to anything I don’t want to that is the law."
Today’s young person is different in many ways from young people of yesteryear.
a. The high standards that were once the norm are not given to the youth of today.
b. Instead they tend to float and absorb the attitudes of the current trend or situation.
c. No real identity, just conforming according to pressure ("Generation X"- no brand name or Brand X, generic)
d. No strong set of principles on which to stand and rely.
e. So many conform to this world, not because they are bad, but searching for some standards and identities.
It is imperative to realize that Satan, through society, is doing his best to destroy our young people.
So as parents, we must furnish the proper character- building principles that will equip our youth for the battles they will face.
Jere. 6:16
Remind of title.
"Your word is your bond."(Do you remember hearing this as a young person? I do! We need to hear it again.)
Taking a person at his word is difficult to do in this age of contracts and notarized signatures.
Today’s young person witnesses broken promises, lies, and words used to gain advantage.
But God wants His people to stand behind their words whether there is a signature or not.
Jas. 5:12
Applies to contracts, friends, parents and test in school.
New lawyer- "Oh, nothing Sir, I just came to hook up your phone."
"Yes Sir, Yes Ma’am"(Do you remember…?)
Been replaced with "Yeah" and "Un-huh"- also wish I would hear more of "Thank you" and "You’re welcome."
The basic principle is respect.
Lack of respect is so common today.
Being respectful to others will earn respect from others.
I Pet. 5:5
Lev. 19:32
"What do you have on?"
This should be something our young people hear and parents say more of, I know it is not said enough because of what I see.
We should encourage our children to wear proper clothing- name brands or fashion trends do not take the place of modesty.
I Tim. 2:9- define modesty.
Making your child change inappropriate clothing shows you care.
"You did it, you clean it up."
We are a generation of buck passers and excuse makers.
We need to teach our young people once again to take responsibility for their actions.
As long as they know mom and dad will bail them out, their individual accountability will never be established.
Gen. 3:12-13
I Sam. 15
Rom. 14:12
"I’m doing this for your own good."
Many psychologists do not believe in discipline.
But the Bible teaches you do not love your child if do not discipline.
Prov. 13:24
Rules are for their protection, freedom and in their best interest.
Mt. 7:21
Jn. 14:15
"Love God more than anything."
Our children’s foundation must be in Christ.
No matter how many good principles are taught, they fall apart without Jesus.
Let us all encourage our young people to place Christ first, to rely on Him, to trust Him.
Rom. 5:8
Mt. 6:33
Each of the principles stated must evident in your life (Mt. 5:16).
The first step in this is giving your life to Christ tonight.
James Pharr
Lenoir, NC