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Discipleship Family For the Family Parenting

Three Ways to Speak the Truth To Our Kids (and ourselves) Every Day

I’m learning as an adult, right in the middle of marriage and parenting, how to speak the truth to myself. To know who God is, what he says, and how to speak these certainties over my wavering heart and mind. I wish I understood this much younger. When I was wrestling through work, pregnancy, big life decisions and difficult days as a young mom, I wish I’d known how powerful God’s Word is in holding me fast. I can’t change my story, but I can start early teaching my children how to know God’s truth and to speak it over their lives.

The Life-Giving Power of Knowing God’s Word

The truth of God’s Word positively affirms us in Christ and lovingly correct us when we’re wrong. Here are two ways we can use the truth to affirm and correct our children:

The Truth About Who We Are and Who We Aren’t

The more I study God’s Word, the better I know who God is and what he wants. In turn, I better understand who I am. I understand my spiritual gifts; both my strengths and weaknesses and the proper stewardship of these gifts. I understand there are many things I’m not good at or called to, but where I am called and enabled, I want to do my best.

The same is true for our children. We live in a culture where everyone gets a medal to avoid hurt feelings. While well-meaning, this fails to teach our children who they are and what they’re good at. Speaking the truth to our children about who they are and yes, who they aren’t, gifts them the freedom of growing into who God created them to be.

The Truth About Sin

Sin is a hard thing to talk about. There are plenty of other words I’d rather use like “struggle” or “weakness.” But calling sin what it enables my children to recognize the truth about what’s wrong and helps them weed sin out before it takes root.

James 1:15 gives this sobering reminder:

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (ESV).

While I don’t enjoy talking to my children about sin, this is far more loving than allowing it to fester and grow. Speak the truth in love and help your children grow in the habit of turning from sin early.

As adults, we need to learn how to speak truth to ourselves - to know who God is, what he says and how to speak life over our wavering hearts and minds. If we need this, our children do too! Here's how you can start early teaching your children to know God’s truth and to speak it over their lives...

Three Ways to Speak the Truth Every Day

So how exactly do we get in the habit of knowing and speaking the truth to ourselves and our children? Here are three practical ways to get started:

  • Study God’s Word

You won’t know for yourself what God’s Word says unless you read it. Invite your children into your quiet time and show them what it looks like to consistently get in the Word.

  • Meditate on God’s Word

Store Scripture up in your heart and you will be surprised how the words come back when you need them most. Memorize Scripture as a family or work on specific passages with a child on topics they’re struggling with.

  • Pray God’s Word

When doubting or discouraged, pray God’s Word right back to him. Remind him (and really, yourself) what he promises and says is true. When you’re working through something with a child, teach them to recall what God says is true and to speak it back to him.

Why the Truth Matters

Every day we’re bombarded with worldly messages about who we are, what to believe and what will give us hope. May we be parents firmly grounded in the truth, able to speak it over our own lives and teaching our children to do the same.  

Kari Andrews

OutsideAirBlog

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About Kari Andrews

Kari Andrews is a wife, mother to two spirited toddlers, a home-maker by day and writer by night. A Missouri native, she transplanted to Massachusetts ten years ago and has been learning ever since how to put down roots in the hard New England soil. When she’s not chasing after toddlers you will find her bargain shopping, writing poetry on scraps around the house or trying to brew the perfect caramel latte. She shares her heart and thoughts at outsideairblog.com and weekly snippets on Instagram @kari.andrews.

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