A few days ago my wife and I were watching a National Geographic show that depicted birds of prey capturing small animals (such as rabbits). These particular birds were a breed of hawks. Unlike most hawks who generally work alone to catch their prey, these hawks banded together as a group. One of the hawks proceeded to give chase to a rabbit; this was followed by another hawk giving chase. A succession of the hawks gave chase (each taking turns) until such time that the rabbit became too tired to run and then the matriarch hawk swooped in for the kill. For the hawks, the matriarch hawk had taught her “children” hawks to work in concert to chase and ultimately kill the rabbit. But what about the rabbit; had not its “parents” taught it how to observe the hawks and how to outmaneuver them – though outnumbered?
Upon reflection of this episode, this event brought to mind the warnings that the Lord provides us concerning the Devil – and all of his subtle ways – and the importance of training up our children to understand the ways of the Devil. Often we think of the Devil as just working alone, seeking our destruction. However, upon close examination of the Scriptures, we find that the Devil drew out a third of the angels (now called devils) and they work in concert with the Devil towards our destruction. Thus it is imperative that our children are taught the wiles of the Devil.
1 Peter 5:8 states,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Yet, how many Christian parents teach their children about the ever present danger of a “hungry” devil? Throughout the Scriptures we find many passages where God has instructed His people to train up their children to: 1) love the Lord; 2) serve the Lord; 3) be mindful of the ways of Satan.
Proverbs 22:6 states,
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9,
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
Ephesians 6:10-13,
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Likewise, our children are instructed by God to hear and to heed the instructions from God’s Word.
Ephesians 6:1-3 states,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 states,
“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”
Unfortunately, many “Christian” parents and children today have abdicated their responsibilities to teach and/or to heed God’s warnings. Then we are left to wonder as to what happened to our children when Satan pounces upon them. Could it be that “Christian” parents and children alike are too invested in worldly events that the ways of the Lord have been forgotten? Remember that as a parent, God gave us the responsibility to train up our children in the ways of the Lord. Let us take this responsibility to heart – lest you are willing to watch your own children suffer the ravages of Satan upon their lives.
