A CHILD’S HEART
If we are going to be successful in raising our children well, we must understand the heart of a child. We must wisely discern what children are really like, what makes them tick, and how best to shape and mold their precious lives.
The truth is most adults in our world today do not grasp the harm they are actually doing to children. Their so-called wisdom is actually foolish and is very destructive to children’s lives. Many of the things this world is deliberately exposing children to is sheer madness, and profoundly wicked.
Many well-meaning Christian parents I’ve encountered over the years are also very naive regarding children, as they fail to fully grasp what a child’s heart is really like and what it needs most. Even Christian parents are falling for some of the current destructive narratives that are diabolically impacting children today.
Understanding these invaluable insights into a child’s heart will make all the difference in raising your child, and the impact you have on their lives.
These insights were a tremendous help to me and my wife. They were vitally important to us in working with our little children and helped us raise them wisely and effectively. It is my prayer they will be a great help to you also.
A Child’s heart is foolish.
God tells us in Prov. 22:15 That a child’s heart is filled with foolishness, that the rod of discipline will remove it far from them. This is God’s divine insight and instruction provided to us. Children gravitate towards foolishness and rebellion. They do not come to us with hearts full of wisdom and obedient spirits. The more they hang around other little fools the more that foolishness is reinforced and deeply ingrained in their developing character, as the companion of fools suffers harm, while those who walk with the wise will become wise. Children do not come to us knowing right from wrong. It must be diligently taught to them and daily reinforced. Loving correction and discipline do not injure a child, they greatly benefit a child.
A Child’s heart is fragile.
Children are precious and sensitive little people. We need to handle them with great care. It is vitally important that we are sensitive to their feelings, that we use our words wisely, and are very careful not to take the heart out of them, as God instructs fathers in Col. 4 not to exasperate their children. This may seem to contradict the advice above regarding foolishness and correction. However, having raised 4 children myself, we can still bring needed discipline and correction to a child’s foolishness, while also handling them with great love and care. It is very important that we nurture our children, and work patiently and tenderly with their little hearts. This includes our adolescent children as well as our teenagers. We need to be careful with their dignity and make sure we treat them in wise and honorable ways.
A Child’s heart is impressionable.
Children in so many ways are an open book of blank pages waiting to have things written on them. The things they are consistently exposed to leave an impression on their heart and mind. They are like little sponges, absorbing what surrounds them. This is why so many evil forces have sought total control of the education of children. They know that what you tell them, and expose them to at a very young age, leaves a lasting impression. Be wise in what they watch on TV and the internet, what books you read to them, and have them read, and what music fills your home. Be extremely cautious about who educates your children and what they are taught. Wisely use this knowledge to impart to them many wonderful things yourself. God made them to be like little play dough in your wise loving hands. Shape them wisely. Be the example you want them to follow.
A Child’s heart is trusting.
Jesus said, “Unless you become like a little child you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” What did He mean? Children are very trusting of adults. They believe what they are told very easily. It is very important that you use this knowledge to help them and not harm them. They will trust you mom and dad. Be worthy of their trust. Keep your word to them. Never violate or betray their trusting hearts. It should be a lesson to us all, that all these little kids trusted adults who told them to wear their little masks all day in school, and the kids did it. Even though they were useless to wear and many adults knew it! It was as deceptive as telling them there is a Santa Claus who brings their Christmas gifts! This whole charade of masks helped instill irrational fear and paranoia in the hearts of millions of children.
A Child’s heart is curious.
Children are filled with an inborn curiosity. They love to put things in their mouth, they want to explore and touch everything as they grow. Find ways to wisely feed their curiosity and their eagerness to explore. Spend time exploring with them, and feed their eager hearts with good, wholesome things. The early years of your child is a great time to feed their curiosity and ability to learn things quickly and easily. Don’t waste those early years!
A Child’s heart longs for love, safety, and security.
Every little child needs love to grow and thrive. They need the warmth of a loving mom and dad, and the constant reassurance that you love them, and care about them. They need the safety and security of your marriage, and your loving home. They will thrive best when they feel safe in your presence and secure in your love, and your dealings with them. Teach them about God and His loving care. Let them see and experience your trust and confidence in God’s loving care and protection of you. This will greatly impact their little hearts, seeing your faith and trust in God.
Children are a precious and magnificent gift from God. Treasure these days of parenthood. Never lose sight of that, on those tough days, and through the difficult seasons of parenting. Never forget you are yourself a child of God and He has shown you extraordinary patience, and unfailing love, and continues to do so even to this very day.
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
