Genesis 18:19
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

The question Christians must ask themselves in these end times regarding the upbringing of their children is this: Am I preparing them for the return of Christ, or am I leaving them vulnerable to the influence of the enemy?

It is deeply concerning to see how many Christian parents are raising their children today. In some cases, it appears as though they are preparing them for worldly values rather than for a life of holiness and obedience to God.

How can parents dress a ten-year-old daughter in a manner that suggests she is being prepared for adulthood far too soon? How can young boys wear earrings, braid their hair, dye it in various colours, and even bring such styles into church without correction?

If Jesus were to return today, would these children be ready to be gathered with Him, or would they be left behind to face the trials of the end times?

And if death were to come suddenly, would they be found ready for heaven?

The responsibility for these young souls has been entrusted to parents, who are called to guide them in the ways of the Lord. When parents fail in this duty, the consequences can extend far beyond their own generation.

Do you value the souls of your children enough to lead them away from worldly corruption?

Many parents may face regret in eternity because they failed to train their children to obey God or because they ignored behaviour that was clearly contrary to His will.

How would it feel to be in heaven while your children are in hell? We have a solemn responsibility to raise our children in the fear of the Lord. If we fail to do so, we will one day give an account before God.

Children are a heritage from the Lord. He has placed them in our care so that we may guide them through life according to His truth. God testified concerning Abraham that He knew Abraham would instruct his children in His ways.

When you study Abraham’s life carefully, you will see that he indeed taught his children, grandchildren, and future generations to walk in the fear of the Lord.

Isaac did not bow to idols, nor did Jacob and his children. Even in a foreign land, Joseph carried the fear of God with him. He declared, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

This was the legacy passed down to him by his forefathers, and he remained faithful to it. What legacy will your children remember when you are gone?

A child left to himself will eventually bring shame to his parents.

You can only give what you possess. If the fear of God is not in your own heart, how can you teach your children to fear Him?

Children often reflect what they observe in their parents’ private lives. They imitate what they see at home. This is why many parents struggle to correct their children, because they recognise their own behaviour in them.

Instead of leading their children to Christ through instruction and correction, some parents allow them to continue in error and expect them to correct themselves.

As the saying goes, “A child you refuse to train will one day sell the house you built.”

Many parents live in sorrow in old age because of how they raised their children. They did not correct them when they were young, and now they weep over the consequences of those early mistakes.

As you sow, so shall you reap. I once saw a woman buy hair extensions for her twelve-year-old daughter in an effort to make her appear more attractive. I wondered what kind of attention such a child should be seeking at that age when she ought to be focused on learning and preparing for the future.

Who is drawn to a young girl except someone with harmful intentions?

You see your son engaging in fraudulent behaviour, and instead of correcting him, you are pleased because he is doing what many of his peers are doing. You excuse it as a sign of being “Gen Z.”

I have even heard mothers boast that their sons are among those involved in such conduct. Rather than praying for them and urging them to turn away from wrongdoing, they celebrate behaviour that will eventually bring them sorrow if it is not repented of.

Some do not seem concerned if their children die young, so long as they bring money into the home. In some cases, greed even leads parents to use their children for evil purposes.

Sadly, some Christians also celebrate this kind of behaviour, postponing their grief until the consequences become unavoidable.

When a child sees nothing wrong with evil and is never corrected, it often reflects the hidden desires of the parents themselves. Such parents may not truly be prepared for heaven.

Parents who desire their children to be in heaven after they are gone will teach them God’s ways from an early age and ensure that they remain in them, even in their absence.

The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

The minds of young children are like uncultivated land. Whatever is planted in them will eventually grow and bear fruit.

Children imitate what they see and develop their character from it. Teach them God’s ways before the world teaches them its own.

The devil seeks to capture them while they are still young. You must also reach them while they are young, before the enemy does. Once they become deeply rooted in the wrong path, it may be too late.

Someone once asked about my daughter and the way she dresses, suggesting that she was not “social.” She asked why my daughter did not wear earrings or makeup and wondered whether she would be attractive to a future husband.

I replied that the husband who would marry my daughter would also be looking for a woman like her.

If you dress in an immodest way to attract a spouse, you will likely attract the wrong kind of attention.

Like attracts like. That is a principle of life. If you see a man wearing styles that reflect rebellion or vanity, it is likely that he will be drawn to women with similar values.

A man or woman who does not have a heavenly vision should not be drawn to your children, lest they lead them away from the path of righteousness and into destruction.

When you are preparing your children for the future, think beyond marriage. Be heavenly conscious when choosing the right partner. Some people are sent by hell to drag others down with them. Not all that glitters is gold.

A partner who is not pleased with godly dressing may be sent to disqualify you from making heaven. Do not bow to the wishes of your partner to displease God.

Prayer: Father, help me in training my children. Do not let me regret bringing them into the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.