September 24, 2012
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Hardened by life
We had a cat for fifteen years, and at times it would rebel against the rules. One of the things I knew was I couldn’t punish my cat later but had to immediately respond to what he had done, for he would have no way of making the connection other wise. If I punished him later after the event he would have simply saw me as cruel, not connecting his disobedience to the punishment.
At the park I watched an overweight teenager tearing down one of the wooden fences, just to pass through instead of walking around to the entrance. As I thought about the teenager I thought how he will reap punishment from his rebellious ways. Then I saw the connection between the teenager and my cat, neither would see the punishment as for their good if they cannot relate it to their incident of rebellion. They both would see a cruel hand upon them, and instead of improving they would be hardened.
As Christians through our faith we accept sowing and reaping, the carnal minded people cannot see the connection. Because they do not understand they are reaping what they have sown, it causes them to be hardened more because they see it as life is cruel.
Ecc 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Comments (12)
Amen Lewis.....
Thank you Ellie!
Yahvah is the same way, we get our punishment now, not latter. Very good post Bro. Lewis. Bro. Doc
I wish you were wrong but I doubt you are.......good post.
Actually, I have found because the adults choose to have the least amount happen to them… they than teach kids they can basically do whatever they want, blame others if caught, and than we wonder what is wrong with our society. Adults behave badly, choose to be offended, the kids watch and learn the same behaviors.
My children know better, and I started teaching them young, and the one that pops out the most is my eldest son. I allowed him to play out front, with walkie talkies, he was around 11 years old. He broke an egg in a ducks nest. Neighbor came over, told me, and not only did we talk with Vince… but he was in trouble. Instead of being upset another parent had nerve to tell me, and act stupid, we turned it into a teaching lesson. Starting with how it was cruel to kill the infant in the egg, than how he embarrassed me as a parent with his behavior, than punishment to prevent bad behavior in the future. If a child is taught they can blame others, or choose to be offended, whatever… they have no fear of acting even worse in the future.
I would be livid with my son if he broke out a fence, he’d be working that debt off, and loose his videogames. And because I did my job, at 17 he is better behaved than most of his peers, and respectful (giving him a hand up in life instead of crippling him). Allowing that teenager to vandalize doesn't do him any favors in life. He needs a strong foundation so that when he is an adult he can function and get further
There have been some things from my past come up in my present that has rebuked me... certainly, people in general can become hardened as time goes on...but we can also remember the time we did such and such --- and think "wow - I was really wrong." A person has to want to see wisdom. They have to want it... If we are ignorant toward learning, then I think it's at that moment our heart becomes hardened... When we no longer think we have anything to learn or are smarter then anyone else... perhaps when pride settles in our bones and becomes our foundation?.
Thanks Lewis
@Lewis1122 - Agreed Bro Doc, that which we sow we shall reap. Isnt that a great verse, Ecc 8:11 it show God wants us to live good according to our free will and not out of fear of pain nor for reward but because a pure heart.
@alterb4ego - It is spooky to know we reap what we sow, but if we look at the positive side it is a wonderful promise.
Psa_145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
Pro_12:21 There shall no evil happen to the just…
Rom_8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…
Pro_19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD … thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
@Growedup - You sound like great parents Bev, teaching them first by example second by helping them to see what they do wrong and then be responsable is wonderful parenting skills.
@Sisterinchrst - Amen Jes!!! The meek inherit the earth, those that want to learn shall, the word tells us the wise learn from life. Pro_29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
The great problem today is that children are growing up without God. They are not taught about Him.. so neither are they taught morals... whats right and whats wrong There is no fear of the Lord anymore. It will all change soon!
God Bless
@Gabriel333 - Thansk Sis Janet! Very true parents arent teaching their children about God, so sowing and reaping isnt even part of their understanding. But the word tells us, when the judgments of God are upon the earth men will learn righteousness.
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