God’s anger burned against Judah, because the people would burn their children as offerings to Baal, then, on the same day, they would come and offer sacrifices to Him as well. [Ezk 23:37-39]

🚩The Israelites sacrificed their children to ba’al, because they thought he would bless them with good crops. They wanted to gain wealth & prosperity for themselves. and saw their children merely as resources through which to gain it.

Today we may not physically burn our children, but there are parenting trends that are harmful to our children:

Tiger-parents: These parents have high-levels of expectations from their children and push them to gain excellence in academics, sports and other extra-curricular activities. As a result, the child goes from one class to another, and has almost no time for unstructured play.

Helicopter parents: These parents are obsessed with a desire to create a perfect world for their kids…one in which they never have to face struggle, inconvenience, discomfort, or disappointment.

Then there are Insta-parents who upload clips of their children throwing tantrums or doing “prodigy” stuff because they want that moment of glory as 👍🏽s & ❤️s pile -up. And worse, there are parents who push their children into prostitution or abuse them in drunken fits.

Consequence for children:
😒Emotional stunting
😒Distorted understanding of self, authority & God
😒Inability to cope with the realities of life
😒Burn-out & depression

1️⃣ As parents, we need to ask ourselves some hard questions – are we sacrificing our children to our pride, selfishness & fears? Are we trying to live through our children, instead of allowing them to be individuals?
2️⃣ Judah didn’t learn from “elder sister” Samaria’s mistakes… Do we have observant eyes & teachable hearts, so that we don’t repeat the mistakes of others?
3️⃣ Does my life lead my children to see God’s true character? Does it lead them to love, trust & walk with Him … OR… are they being shaped to be lip-servers who will turn away from God as soon as the parental control is lifted?

Starting point:
🏁 GOD, is the True Father. We don’t own our children. They belong to Him.
🏁 We need to start seeing ourselves as stewards, not “potters”. He alone is their Creator.
🏁 Our job is merely to clear the way for our children to learn to run to HIM, hear HIM, love & trust HIM, and walk yoked with HIM.

⚠️ Remember:
And if you tenderly care for this little one on My behalf, you are tenderly caring for Me. But if anyone abuses one of these little ones who believe in Me, it would be better for him to have a heavy boulder tied around his neck and be hurled into the deepest sea than to face the punishment he deserves! [Mat 18:5-6 TPT]

Abba Father, help us to remember that our children belong to You. Help us to lay aside pride & selfishness, so that we might nurture our children for Your glory not ours. You are a good Father. Help us to follow YOUR example in discipling & mentoring our children. In Jesus Name. Amen.

AD