The Bible says that "he who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding shall prosper and find good" (Prov. 19:8 AMP). Every time you honor God in your life and do what He tells you to do, you are really doing yourself good. You are causing God's blessings to come to you.

That's true when you examine yourself rather than blaming others for your troubles. That's also true in every other area of your life.

For example, let's look at the area of disciplining your children for a moment: "Discipline your son while there is hope, but do not [indulge your angry resentments by undue chastisements and] set yourself to his ruin" (v. 18 AMP).

You honor God when you discipline your children. But you shouldn't discipline in anger or when your emotions are out of control. The key to disciplining your children is to be just. Don't allow yourself to discipline them when you're carried away with your own emotions.

Deal with your children fairly and justly in a calm manner. Let them know what you are going to do beforehand and why you are doing it.

Children need discipline while there is hope. But you must be fair, and you must be right. You must be just and motivated by love. The key to peace between parents and children is the love of God.

Children need continual assurance that they are loved so they understand that discipline is for their good. Listen to the Spirit of God. He'll tell you how to manage that balance in love and correction.

Let me give you another nugget of wise counsel about your children. Don't let the devil run roughshod over them as they grow into adolescence. When you see the first warning signs of rebellion in them, confess the promises of God over them. Refuse to give the devil any room to operate. Be quick to bring correction to them in love.

Remember, your children won't understand the unseen forces that are coming against them unless they are taught. Keep them in a good, strong church all their lives - a church that will teach them how to live according to the Word.

The most powerful advantage for good in your children's lives is to see to it that they are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Don't wait until you have a rebellious teenager to look to God for His help. (If that is where you are, don't be discouraged. God will give you wisdom if you won't waver [James 1:5-6]. It's never too late with Him!)

Children should be raised from birth to walk with God. In our church at Eagle Mountain, they are taught how to walk by faith, pray for one another and resist the devil. They are taught God's wisdom from the nursery. The parents are taught in the same way so that what they learn at church is continually reinforced at home.

Our children are growing up choosing God. They aren't being forced into it. It is their choice because that's what they have been exposed to. They won't have any "wild oats" to sow as they mature because they are able to see through Satan's temptations and they know how to operate in the plan of God.

If you teach your children at home and live and talk right before them, they will grow up obeying God and resisting the devil.

As you honor God by raising your children according to His wisdom, you will reap the blessing of godly, obedient children!

Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka:  Kenneth Copeland Ministries