DDT-12 What They Like

I was really encouraged by something my pastor said yesterday. As he was preaching through Philippians 2:19-24, he was talking about how Timothy wasn’t concerned about his own interests or even the interests of others, but the interests of Christ. We should care about the things that Christ cares about and He is the One that determines what is good and worthy of our affection.

My pastor went on to recall a time when he was at a store, buying some toys for his two boys who were with him. A man near by asked him why he would pick those particular toys out for them and made the comment that they wouldn’t like them. My pastor replied, “My boys will like what I want them to like.” I was really encouraged by that and it is refreshing to hear about a man biblically leading his children.

News Flash! We have the right and authority to tell our kids what to do and even what to like. They are not the boss and they don’t rule over us. It’s the other way around. Sadly though, many parents let their kids do whatever they want, without fear of discipline, in the name of love. They should take the time to read Proverbs 13:24:

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Listen, your kids are fools until you teach them wisdom. If you never teach them wisdom, they will always remain fools. And if you don't disciple them in the Word and discipline them with the rod, then you hate them. That’s why I love reading the Proverbs to my family everyday. It teaches us to fear the Lord, hate evil, love truth, protect the innocent, work hard, not be a sluggard, etc. If you want to cut my son to the quick, just call him a sluggard when he is not doing the job he is supposed to be.

I’m not going to say a lot about what you should have your kids be interested in because I don’t know you. I want them to like what you like. My son likes He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, shooting snakes and kicking his underwear off with his foot as high as he can. Why? Because his dad likes all those things. If you love to go, I don’t know, wombat watching, I want your kids right there next to you looking for wombats. If you are the exact opposite of me and we don’t like any of the same things, as long as you are discipling them in Scripture, I want your boy to desire to be just like you. Whoever you are and whatever your interests are in, get your children's hearts, explain your convictions, and lead them with the Word.

Men, your boys should want to be just like you and your daughters should one day desire a man just like you, and guess what, they already do. That should keep you awake at night pouring your heart out to the Father for Him to change you into the image of His Son.

Give me your heart, my son,

And let your eyes delight in my ways.

Proverbs 23:26