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Parents to Counsel Their Children, June 15
If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Proverbs 1:10
.
Parents should encourage their children to confide in them and unburden to
them their heart griefs, their daily little annoyances and trials. If they do this, the
parents can learn to sympathize with their children, and pray for them and with
them, that God would shield and guide them. They should point them to their
never-failing Friend and Counselor, who will be touched with the feelings of their
infirmities. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.
Satan tempts children to be reserved to their parents, and choose their young
and inexperienced companions as their confidants; such as cannot help them, or
give them good advice....
Children would be saved from many evils if they would be more familiar with
their parents. Parents should encourage in their children a disposition to be open
and frank with them, to come to them with their difficulties, and when they are
perplexed as to what course is right, to lay the matter just as they view it before
their parents, and ask advice of them.
Who are so well calculated to see and point out their dangers as godly par-
ents? Who can understand the peculiar temperaments of their children as well as
they? The mother who has watched every turn of the mind from infancy, and is
acquainted with the natural disposition, is best prepared to counsel her children.
Who can tell as well what traits of character to check and restrain as the mother,
aided by the father?
Children who are Christians will prefer the love and approbation of their
God-fearing parents above every earthly blessing. They will love and honor their
parents. This should be one of the principal studies of their lives. How can I make
my parents happy? Children who have not been disciplined and received right
instruction have but little sense of their obligations to their parents....
Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation the enemy
suggests; but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control, and parents
should teach their children that idleness is sin.—
The Signs of the Times, June 6,
1878
.
The Lord requires perfection from His redeemed family. He calls for perfection
in character-building. Fathers and mothers especially need to understand the best
methods of training children, that they may cooperate with God. Men and women,
children and youth, are measured in the scales of heaven in accordance with
that which they reveal in their home life. A Christian in the home is a Christian
everywhere. Religion brought into the home exerts an influence that cannot be
measured.—
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1085
.
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