Resources/Articles

Shaping The Will

 

It is disturbing to hear a report that a student in school smacked his teacher or tells his parents, “You’re not going to tell me what to do!” Some people call such actions a “stage” children go through and some “professionals” say “it is a necessary part of their expressive development.” Any way you look at it or whatever name you call it, the attitude needs adjusting.

Children develop their will depending on the direction in which they are pointed and the standard they follow. Parents need to assign children what they can do rather than allowing them to do things at their own pleasure. Discipline in the areas of correction and instruction are a must in shaping the will of a child.

Parents, remember to apply these five things soon:

  1. Remember your goal with your child. Is it to please God or to please the child (Proverbs 3:11,12; 23:13,14; Hebrews 12:5-11)?
  2. Start early (Proverbs 13:24).
  3. Be consistent (Proverbs 28:7,13,26; 29:3). 
  4. Be reasonable (Proverbs 1:4,8,9; 3:1-4).
  5. You are the parent, not the child (Ephesians 6:1-4)