RAISING GODLY CHILDREN IN AN UNGODLY ENVIRONMENT

RAISING GODLY CHILDREN IN AN UNGODLY ENVIRONMENT

MEMORIZE: "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."  1 Cor. 15:33.

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 2:12-19.

“Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD. 13 And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw." 16 And if the man said to him, "They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires," he would then answer him, "No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force." 17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. 18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.”

EXPOSITION:

Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, the earth has been polluted. The rate at which corruption is spreading and getting rooted is beyond measure to the extent that nowhere can be said to be safe. In Genesis 6:5-7, God examine the earth “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."” At that time, people had become completely opposite of the divine purpose for them, that God had to decide to destroy them and all animals that were on earth. It was just the grace of God that spared Noah from the destruction. The environment has truly become polluted through corruption and obedience.

Because of this general corruption, God sometimes not looking for many people in such an environment to be righteous but one man – Ezekiel 22:29-31 “29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 "Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.”. 

Therefore, to raise a godly child in such an evil environment calls for divine intervention. The person must have divine encounter that will keep him safe with the surrounding pollution. Our Scripture reading for today gave the example of Samuel growing in the midst of the rebellious sons of Eli. They were capable of polluting him, but the godly counsel of his mother and his personal encounter with God would not allow him to be influenced. The Bible says, “17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. 18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 2:17-19.

Today, the spiritual motherly role that is lacking in the lives of the children made them wayward. No fear of God because the supposed guiding (spiritual and biological parents) are not on their duty post. The gate to the future destinies of the children were left opened that enemy was able to capture it unresisted.

To Raise Godly Children In An Polluted Environment, We Need:

1. Godly parental advice and supervision. 1 Samuel 2:18-19.

2. Our children themselves then personal encounter with God. Samuel, Moses, David, Daniel, etc all had encounter with God before they could stand out for righteousness.

3. The word of God must be our closest friend and guidance – Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

4. Holy Spirit must be our senior Partner. Let Him order your step. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26.

5. Both the parents and the children must fear God. His fear is the one that keeps us away from doing evil. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10.

6. Parental Intercession – “pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

7. Be careful of who you walk with. Walk with likeminded people. "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."  1 Cor. 15:33. “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Amos 3:3.  “Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.” Proverbs 4:14-17.

PRAYER POINT:  Lord, help us not to fail our responsibility over our children in Jesus name.

ii. Lord, help us to raise godly children in this world of corruption in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Psalms 57-60.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE, General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l. 

It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com