Teaching Them To See-The Word of God

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

We live in a world saturated with books about God, spirituality and even about Jesus.  There are plenty of great ones out there….but there are also plenty of books that preach a gospel different than the one found in scripture.

We live in a world that determines beauty by the shape of one’s body, the perfection of one’s face, and the clothes that one wears.

We live in a Christian culture that can often water down the Gospel, and leave out important parts of the good news.  A culture that says I need to feel loved in order to be loved.  I need to be happy in order to know that God is good.  I need to have a church that meets all of my needs. God can’t be filled with wrath…He must be love and love alone.

We live in a society that says, the strongest win.  Those who do what it takes to earn what they can are “successful”.  Those who have it all together,  do a little of everything (and do it well), and share their thoughts and opinions with everyone, are the ones who should be in charge. Money is power, and power is good.

We live in a world that says it is all about loving and accepting yourself. If you believe it you can achieve it.  If you focus on the positive you will do well. If you try hard you will achieve your goals.

At every turn we are bombarded with other people’s opinions about how to live a better version of our lives, or how to be our “best selves”.  Sometimes that means dieting, or attending a seminar.  Sometimes it means joining a club, committee or giving to charity. Sometimes it means leaving a church, and singing songs in your home with friends instead.

But what about God and His word? In a Christian culture that constantly seeks to know God’s will…what do we do with the will of God that has been clearly revealed through scripture? Do we teach our daughters to run to his word for guidance or do we give them some  “good” advice?

Do we believe that God’s word can convict, and if so, do we pray for that conviction in our daughter’s lives…or do we guilt them into feeling sorry?

Do we believe that

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”  2 Timothy 3:16

Do we teach our daughters about true beauty using the Word…or standards someone else set up for us?  Do we use scripture to call out their sin and teach them about God’s standards or do we go by what we think seems good? Do we train them how to live in righteousness according to God’s word, or man’s laws and expectations?

Do we teach our daughters to obey what they do know from scripture..

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

…instead of seeking for answers to questions they might not get answers to?

Do we teach our daughters to meditate on the word of God day and night, and to run to it for truth? Or do we help them patch up their problems with worldly “wisdom” ?

As mothers we should use God’s word daily to teach our girls. I would be willing to bet most of us already do this….but are we teaching them how to use God’s word themselves…and to use it well?

As mother’s we cannot protect them from the world, but we MUST equip them to view the world through the lense of scripture.  The only way for them to gain that type of world view is for them to daily renew their minds (Romans 12:1-2).  We can’t renew their minds for them, but God’s word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and He will use it in their lives if they are His.

Our job is to teach them how to study it, rely on it, and work through it.  We can’t do it for them, but can constantly point them to it.  If they are to counteract all that the world tells them, they need to be well equipped.

As mothers we need to sift everything that happens in their lives through Scripture.  Eventually we need to pass that sifter off to them, and allow them to do the same thing…on their own. If God’s word (and knowing Him through His word) is not their filter, than they are likely to believe all of the lies thrown at them about God, Jesus and themselves.  But if they allow God’s word to lead them to the Father through His Son and by His Spirit…they will be able to handle what the world throws at them.

Are we teaching them to see the importance of God’s word?

Are we teaching them to value it?

Are we teaching them to believe it?

Are we teaching them to allow it to guide them to a deeper relationship with the Father and to view it as a tutor in righteousness?

Are we teaching them to see God’s Word?

Danielle is a wife, working mother, friend, special educator, gymnastics instructor, coffee drinker, music listener, t.v. watcher, book reader, and a continual work in process as a follower of Christ. She writes about the journey through adoption, parenting, day to day life, and faith at This Life I Live

Danielle

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