CHILD ABUSE!

 

1. Everyone would be incensed at a parent allowing a child to grow up physically malnourished. And rightly so! But what about the child who suffers spiritual malnutrition? That too, is child abuse. (Proverbs 4:1-9)

2. Everyone recognizes child neglect as a parental crime. But what about deification of children...putting them on a pedestal, jumping to satisfy their every whim? Could this too, be child abuse? (Psalm 127:4 & 128:3 picture children in a beautiful way, but not the center of the family's life)

3. No one doubts the sinfulness of unlovingly beating a child. This is unconscionable. But what about refusing to discipline the child? This also is wrong, is it not? (Proverbs 13:24; 23:13-14)

4. All can see the impropriety of a parent so dominating his child that his individuality is stymied. But do we also see that allowing total permissiveness is likewise a big mistake? (I Samuel 3:13)

5. To provide for the material needs of a child is only right and a deprivation of such is in the same camp as ungodliness. (I Timothy 5:8). But can we also see the danger of the over-indulgence of these things? (Proverbs 25:16; 30:7-9)

6. Everyone abhors the sexual abuse of children by their parents. On the other hand, are parents educating them concerning the Bible view of sex and giving the sufficient guidance they need? ( God's book includes instructions - i.e. Proverbs 5:1-20; 6:20-29; Song of Solomon)

7. Parents want their children to not always be fighting and stick together when adversity comes. But do the parents do the same, or are they constantly bickering and entertaining divorce whenever differences arise? (Do not underestimate the power of a bad example)

Child Abuse comes in many forms.

 

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