You may not always
have an immediate answer to your child’s curiosity, but never dismiss them
carelessly. Instead, respond with: “I will tell you the answer on so-and-so
day,” preferably within a week. This gives parents enough time to study,
reflect, and provide a thoughtful answer.
The moment parents
constantly say, “I don’t know,” children may begin seeking answers
elsewhere from people who always appear confident, whether their answers are
right or wrong. Many religious parents assume that if they tell a child to “ask
God,” the child will automatically receive the correct answer. Yet children are
still vulnerable to outside influences, both good and bad.
Chapter: 76:7-12
And that night, while
he was praying, Satan appeared to him in the form of a man. And Satan said to
him, "Often you have moved your father into making offerings, and to fast
and pray. Because of this, I will kill you and make you perish from this world."
But Hebel prayed to
Elohim and drove away Satan, and he did not believe the words of the devil.
Then when it was day, a messenger of Elohim appeared to him, who said to him,
"Do not stop your fasting, prayer, or offering to your Elohim. For, look, Elohim
has accepted your prayer. Be not afraid of the form which appeared to you in
the night, and who cursed you to death." Then the messenger departed from
him.
But Satan came to the
hard-hearted Qayin by night and showed himself and said to him, "Since
Adam and Hawwah love your brother Hebel so much more than they love you, they
wish to join him in marriage to your beautiful sister because they love him. However,
they wish to join you in marriage to his ugly sister, because they hate you.
Now before they do
that, I am telling you that you should kill your brother. That way your sister
will be left for you and you can throw his sister away."
And Satan departed
from him. But the devil remained behind in Qayin's heart and frequently
prompted his plan to murder Hebel.
It is obvious why Cain
was easily influenced; he hated prayer and the things of God. Parents should not
deceive themselves into believing Satan is afraid to influence children simply
because they attend church or listen to pastors. Assuming that children are
automatically safe, protected by “guardian angels,” while neglecting active
parenting and spiritual guidance, is dangerous.
Too many parents rely
blindly on pastors and self-proclaimed parenting experts without developing
wisdom and understanding themselves. That is unfortunate parenting.
It is poor parenting
when parents cannot provide satisfying answers to their children’s questions.
Parenting requires learning, growth, patience, and understanding. If parents
consistently fail to answer clearly, children may eventually outgrow their guidance
and seek direction elsewhere.
Yahuah began
influencing His only begotten Son, Yahusha, from childhood, knowing that Satan
sought every opportunity to corrupt and destroy. Yet many religious people
behave as though children are naturally pure, untouched, and incapable of
spiritual confusion or deception.
Some of the strange or
difficult questions children ask may reveal deeper influences or struggles in
their minds. Unfortunately, many parents dismiss those questions instead of
paying attention and guiding their children wisely.
The increasing number
of wayward children among heavily religious communities should not always be
viewed merely as “attacks.” In many cases, it reflects environments where
children were raised with fear, confusion, shallow teaching, or poor guidance
instead of wisdom, truth, understanding, and genuine parental involvement.
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