Getting to the heart of the matter

Yesterday, the discussion centered around disciplining young children, even though some of the principles could certainly be taken for older children. I think with everything we have read the last couple of days, one thing stands for sure...to "train up a child" we must reach the heart.
Society today, has done a great job of "behavioral goodness." We have set up boundaries, laws and structure to guide behavior and give us the appearance we are "good"
Jesus said in Matthew 19:17 "There is only One who is good" .
We have mistaken morality for goodness. There are a lot of people who think they are good because they are moral and they are moral because society has dictated how they are to behave. That's why when we parent we have to parent the heart. Psalm 51:10 says "Create in me a pure heart Oh God" That should be the prayer for our children. "Create in THEM a pure heart, Oh God" If He is the only true goodness than He is the only one who can change our wicked ways into good. So we must parent from the heart. How do we do this...

1--Find out the attitude of the heart that brought those words or actions. (Keep asking questions until you have pierced the heart)
2--Once the attitude or motive is out, go to God's Word and find what He says about it. You can go to your concordance in the back of the Bible and look up...anger, pride, jealousy etc and give them verses.
3--Once you expose the heart and reveal what God has to say, ask them to confess it as sin. God knows their heart and confession is really just agreeing with what God already knows. It is like saying "Yes God, you are right, I am angry and therefore hit my sister or tried to hurt my friend"
4--Finally after confession then have them close in prayer asking God to forgive and asking for His protection over them so they would not sin again. Having a child pray in this way, again exposes the heart and allows them to find comfort in God's presence.
5--Then we need to love them as God loves them. Never recalling their sin but always loving them back.

What a precious time to spend with our kids. No matter what age or circumstances, God wants to reveal their heart to us. If we would take the time, we will have a fruitful season of a changed heart. And a changed heart is a changed life!

THERE WILL BE NO POSTING TOMORROW BECAUSE DAVID AND I ARE GOING AWAY...YIPEE!!!
See you Thursday!