There is tremendous excitement that comes with the arrival of a newborn. While holding a baby in your arms it’s difficult to imagine the remote possibility that he or she could one day exhibit evil tendencies.

However, Genesis 8:21 tells us that, from childhood, the inclination of man’s heart is evil. Seriously, the inclinations of my precious little child are evil? Without acceptance of this truth a parent will struggle to see his child’s behaviors objectively. The sooner a parent recognizes that his child is capable, even inclined toward evil the more prepared he can be to identify and deal with it.

Because a man’s heart is inclined or bent toward evil, a child will by nature follow selfish or evil desires. Therefore, he must be consistently taught and trained to walk in the ways of God.

When Sampson’s parents were told by a man of God that they were going to have a son they responded by pleading, “O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.” (Judges 13:8)

Have you asked the Lord to teach you how to raise your children? Are you relying on Him to do so through you?

Each precious child is created with unique qualities. Since children do not leave the hospital with an instruction manual, God provides His perfect Word for parenting. In order to properly train children we must know God’s Word for ourselves.

What methods are you currently using to study God’s Word? How often do you refer to God’s manual for parenting?