Carol | February 12, 2008
The Curse of the Standard Bearers – Part 1
http://www.spiritofelijah.com/chariot/chariot1107.html
“At age fifteen and living at home, Marty knew he should obey his parents, but they never led him to deal with his heart relationship with God. Consequently, the parent-child relationship was always about responsibility and expectations. It’s no wonder that Marty felt unloved, controlled, and unvalued. Living by rules and standards cannot build relationships based on God’s love and grace. A form of outward obedience may occur, but liberty and love that comes from the Holy Spirit’s work internally is overlooked.”
“Until Marty has a relationship with Jesus, his parents must teach, train, and demand honor and obedience (Eph. 6:1-4). However, once the Holy Spirit indwells him, Marty should be taught to walk by the Spirit in relationship with the heavenly Father. As Jesus told his disciples, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9). As a son starts to walk by the Spirit, an earthly father should encourage his son’s decision-making and guidance to come from a personal relationship with the heavenly Father, not himself. To the degree that the father makes the decisions and dictates the lifestyle of his believing son, to that degree he hinders his son’s spiritual life. A father’s role should decrease just as John the Baptist’s role decreased when Jesus appeared (John 3:30).”
The Curse of the Standard Bearers – Part 2
http://www.spiritofelijah.com/chariot/chariot1207.html
“John grew up in the home of Standard Bearers. Being a compliant child, he became a poster child for them and a testimony of the blessing that comes with living by godly standards and character. John wasn’t taught the importance of a relationship with the Holy Spirit or experiencing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He was taught that obeying his parents was his primary responsibility as a son. To his parents, living for Jesus and obeying parents were one in the same. I’m not sure they realized it, but they became his god and controlled his life. John didn’t know who he was as a person or that he was under the inordinate control of Standard Bearing parents. Furthermore, he didn’t realize his need for the Holy Spirit; he had his father and mother!”
“French mathematician, physicist, and theologian Blaise Pascal wrote, ‘Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.’”
Curse of the Standard Bearers – Part 3
http://www.spiritofelijah.com/chariot/chariot0108.html
Standard Bearer: “He may condemn, judge, slander, and cut off those who don’t live by his standards (Matt. 12:14) or he may demand the right to control the child until the child cuts him off (he appears blameless and the child appears rebellious).”
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Category: Christianity, Parenting Discipline |
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