Day 161.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15 ESV)
Our culture has such a fascination with following the heart, as if it know the secret of our destiny. The truth is, our hearts are deceitful (Jer 17:9). They restlessly search for something that will satisfy the emptiness inside them and thus chase after things that stir them. The problem is, that restlessness is a result of our fallen nature. It cannot be satisfied with anything other than what it was created for. Augustine said it best when he said, “my heart is restless till it finds it’s rest in thee.” As a parent, we must know this about our children and help them learn how to protect themselves from their own folly.
Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way. (Proverbs 23:19 ESV)
We must teach them to direct their heart rather than let their heart direct them. We do that by teaching and showing how the gospel satisfies the deepest longings in the heart. This gospel must be explored and kept in view, otherwise it will drift out of sight and the allure of the things of the world will once again tug at the heart.
My son, if your heart is wise,
my heart too will be glad. (Proverbs 23:15 ESV)
this struggle continues no matter the age.