Discipline in the Home
177
False Ideas Regarding Restraint—If you want the blessing of
God, parents, do as did Abraham. Repress the evil, and encourage the
good. Some commanding may be necessary in the place of consulting
the inclination and pleasure of the children
To allow a child to follow his natural impulses is to allow him to
deteriorate and to become proficient in evil. Wise parents will not say
to their children, “Follow your own choice; go where you will, and
do what you will”; but, “Listen to the instruction of the Lord.” Wise
rules and regulations must be made and enforced, that the beauty of
the home life may not be spoiled
Why Achan’s Family Perished—Have you considered why it
was that all who were connected with Achan were also subjects of
the punishment of God? It was because they had not been trained and
educated according to the directions given them in the great standard
of the law of God. Achan’s parents had educated their son in such a
way that he felt free to disobey the word of the Lord. The principles
inculcated in his life led him to deal with his children in such a way
that they also were corrupted. Mind acts and reacts upon mind, and
the punishment, which included the relations of Achan with himself,
reveals the fact that all were involved in the transgression
Blind Parental Affection the Greatest Obstacle in Training—
The sin of parental neglect is almost universal. Blind affection for
those who are connected with us by the ties of nature too often exists.
[235]
This affection is carried to great lengths; it is not balanced by the
wisdom or the fear of God. Blind parental affection is the greatest
obstacle in the way of the proper training of children. It prevents
the discipline and training which are required by the Lord. At times,
because of this affection, parents seemed to be bereft of their reason.
It is like the tender mercies of the wicked—cruelty disguised in the
garb of so-called love. It is the dangerous undercurrent which carries
children to ruin
4
Letter 53, 1887
.
5
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 112
.
6
Manuscript 67, 1894
.
7
The Review and Herald, April 6, 1897
.