God's Security Officers

While the church is the place of salvation, how we act in the church is first dependent upon how we act in the home (See 1 Timothy 3:4-5).[1] “The home is where the heart is” some say. Studies show that a bad home life often leads to a bad moral life. Satan knows this—that’s why he loves dismantling the home.

Politicians run the government, elders oversee their respective congregations, but parents are leaders of the home. They will answer for how they organized their home. They may very well be responsible for a soul’s presence in Hell or in Heaven—they need to be very cautious as to how they manage the home. With these things in mind, let’s note a few ideas as to how parents can be sure to keep Satan away from their home.

Put up Walls of Protection. Parents, your home is a city—every city has walls (Proverbs 25:28; Nehemiah 4:7). Without boundaries, Satan will walk right in like he owns the place. Refuse him entrance. Put walls all around your house, making sure he has no way in. Be sure to fill the small crevices too, even small openings can produce big downfalls. Around what specific things should you put up walls?

• Entertainment. Someone said, “Entertainment is not a playground; it is a battle ground.” God wants people to enjoy things (Proverbs 25:16; Ecclesiastes 2:8), but there is a limit. Don’t welcome in Satan through rated R movies and shows. Don’t buy prom apparel for them to attend the dance. Set limits on their social media and restrict access to most internet sites. Entertainment is soon unfun when sin is involved or near.

• Friends (1 Corinthians 15:33). Friends are important to children, but don’t let them befriend Satan too. Carefully examine who they spend their time with, know their families, and be sure to encourage them to make their best friends members of the church of Christ.

• Sexuality (Proverbs 6:25-32; 7:7; 2 Timothy 2:22). You must be extra cautious to not let this evil come into your city. YOU educate your children about sex, not schools. When your children are of age, have restrictions for dating. Make sure you protect their social media and phone usage from these inflictors, even if you must pay extra to do so. Don’t let your children play with this fire; Satan will burn them with third-degree burns.

You are responsible for the walls you erect—will they be brick or straw?

Teach…Teach… Teach (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Parents are children’s first professors. If you don’t take this role, Satan will gladly fill it. Teaching is preventative and promotional. Preventative in that it will instruct children to forsake Satan’s schemes and promotional in that it will urge children to obey God. Set the example so they can follow (Genesis 18:19). How can you do this? Have nightly Bible studies that cover related issues. Talk about problems at school and read Scripture about how the Bible refutes such behavior. When evolution is presented in science class, study as a family how the Bible and true science refutes such a hypothesis. When immodesty is seen, instruct them on what the Bible has to say about purity. Begin this training process early, so that Satan’s bigger darts can be warded off later. Have Joshua 24:15 as your mantra: …”but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Get Satan Out of Them. Parasites must be flooded out. This may take painful discipline to rid the inflictor out of one’s body. Satan is a parasite and it may take harmful disciplines to rid him out of your child. Discipline is godly (Ephesians 6:4), don’t let the world tell you otherwise. Do you hate your child? If not, then discipline (Proverbs 13:24). While abuse is never warranted, harsh discipline “cleanseth away evil” (Proverbs 20:30). Solomon said “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Your goal is not to hurt but to help. If Satan remains in them only worse things will happen (Proverbs 23:13-14). Don’t honor your children over the Lord by refusing to punish them (1 Samuel 2:29). Disciplining occurs in a variety of ways but here are three general words to help you get started: (1) spanking—physical infliction,[2] grounding—taking an item away, and working—chores. Whatever will flood the devil out of them must be done; their soul is too precious to you to let him remain.

Satan hates the home, but God loves it. He has provided parents as security officers so His precious little souls can grow up to serve Him. How well you are guarding your post, parents?

Endnotes

[1] Other source

[2]Please remember that physical abuse of a child is a serious sin. There is a difference from spanking and physical abuse. Spanking is allowed by God but it should be preceded by love, not unrighteous anger and hate.