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Some of the happiest moments this side of heaven are experienced in homes blest with children. "Children are a heritage of Jehovah; and the fruit of the womb is his reward...Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them" (Ps. 127:3-5). Little ones bring love untold. They bring out the best that is in us. Children need and deserve our love in return.
Now and again something goes awry; parents abuse their children rather than love and cherish them.
Some Children Are Abused Physically
Physical abuse is an ancient problem. Fortunately our generation has recognized such abuse as a social evil and sought to control it by law. Ancient societies tolerated child abuse as a natural right of parents and adults. Such was common in our land until fifty years ago.
Physical abuse takes many forms. It could be a child having to live in a filthy home environment. For some kids it is inadequate food and clothing. We speak not of hard times when all family members suffer alike, but when parents spend their funds on themselves or for tobacco or strong drink while their children do without life's essentials. Some children suffer from inadequate medical care or lack of supervision. Such neglect is sinful (I Tim. 5:8). Occasionally children are overworked by parents. This was a major problem in days past. The most notorious cases of child abuse involve beatings, torture and death. Civilized citizens are incensed at such horrors. The most wide-spread form of child abuse is abortion whereby mothers kill their unborn babies. Each year some 1-1/2 million abortions are done in our land. God hates hands that shed innocent blood (Prov. 6:16-19).
In many cases, abuse is a matter of excess. Children should be trained to work, to earn their bread by the sweat of their face (Gen. 3:19). But they should not be overworked. They should be disciplined for their own good, but not beaten so as to harm them. Solomon taught "withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die..." (Prov. 23:13). Parents should never chasten a child in anger lest they be excessive. Wait until the anger subsides. Always explain the reason for and purpose of your discipline before administering it. Rarely will a parent err in this matter if he is guided by the golden rule, treating the child as he wants to be treated (Matt. 7:12).
Some Children Are Emotionally Abused
We see parents that ridicule, brow-beat and humiliate their off-spring. They shout at them and speak despairingly, making the youngster feel they are of no value. Such parents may never physically harm their children, but abuse them they do. Such unfortunate children may suffer a life time from broken spirits, low self-esteem, fear of authority figures or depression. Parents guided by Jesus know that "love worketh no ill to his neighbor" (Rom. 13:10). That includes children.
What makes parents do such terrible things to their own flesh and blood. It is interesting to note that many child abusers were themselves victims in their early years. Some authorities think it is a "learned response" behavior pattern. That is how their parents punished so that is the only way they know to deal with their little ones. Parents, be reminded that you are daily training your children how to raise their children. Much abuse occurs in broken homes and is perpetuated by step parents or live in companions. They have no sense of family loyalty. Sometimes the single parent is frustrated, angry and hurt and takes out his/her resentment against the child who complicates his or her situation. Dr. Edward Leonoski of Los Angeles, an authority in the field thinks that a lack of proper bonding between parents and babies the first days following birth may subconsciously affect the parent. Such is clearly seen in animal mothers who reject their babies if something interferes with the bonding process.
Surely drug and alcohol abuse is a chief cause of abuse. Millions of kids are denied adequate provisions because parents waste family resources on booze or drugs. Under the influence, parents have committed atrocities against their own family. We cannot overlook the impact of legal abortions on this issue. With some 45 million abortions in the last 32 years has come a 300 percent increase in child abuse. The mother who has killed one child that was unwanted will think little about beating or tormenting another.
Some Children Are Sexually Abused
Parents must guard their little ones from pedophiles who sexually molest children. These perverts may be either male or female, homosexual or heterosexual. This is a growing problem with the rise of child pornography and general decline of public morality. Nearly every community has such child abusers. They often seek jobs or positions that gives them access to children such as teachers, athletic coaches, scout leaders ad camp workers. We do not want to become paranoid and suspect everyone who fills these posts, nor can we be naive and allow children to be hurt. Talk to your children and make them aware such can happen. Warn them to avoid such people, to reject their overtures and to report to you immediately when such happens.
Some children are sexually abused by their parents or relatives. Such is called incest. God laid a curse upon the man who engaged his near relatives (Deut. 27:20,22). Some offenders may be emotionally sick. Others are morally decadent and disgustingly evil. Incest is more likely to occur with non-blood relatives living in the home. Every scripture that forbids fornication condemns sexual abuse of children (Rom. 13:9). Guard your own heart, and guard your children. Don't wait until the tragedy has occurred.
Some Children Are Abused Spiritually
Such violates no law of man, but one will answer to God for it. We see multitudes of children whose spiritual needs are neglected. Jesus taught us that "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Some children are taught religious error which will prove as destructive as poison to their future welfare (John 8:32). There are parents who allow their sons and daughters to walk in sinful paths that will lead them to harm's way. Eli, the Hebrew judge, was condemned because he did not restrain his sinful sons (I Sam. 3:13). Children suffer when they are exposed to corrupting influences such as sordid movies, TV, books, music or friends. Scripture warns, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). Children, by reason of their age and immaturity, need adult help in guarding their minds.
The corrupting influence may well be their public school. Every Christian parent should try to provide a Christian educational environment for his/her children. There are some unfortunate children who are brought up with no spiritual training,, no Bible reading,, prayer or worship. Fathers are charged with the responsibility of nurturing their children in the chastening and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:3-4).
Children are given to us to love, not abuse. He that loves his child will provide not only his physical and material needs, but his spiritual needs as well. Even the poorest family can provide love, care and protection.
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