All of us are born with something inside of us that automatically resists authority. It’s called a sin nature! Hopefully, you and I have grown in our ability to resist the sin of resisting authority, but if you are anything like I am, that sin still rears its ugly head at times. It’s just a part of who we are. If we, as adults, still battle this at times, then we can’t expect our children to have mastered submission. They are in the beginning stages of this life-long battle with the flesh to submit to those that God has placed in authority over them. Even so, there are some things that we can do to help them in this process of growth and learning.

Thoughts for Mom: 

• First of all, we must be good examples of being submissive. If we aren’t submissive we can’t expect that they will learn to be submissive (Hebrews 13:17).
• As moms, we need to be careful that we are relating to our children in a way that will not provoke them or make it harder to want to submit to us. If we are constantly raising our voice or being too demanding, it will cause frustration and they will resist (Ephesians 6:4).
• Be careful that you are being thoughtful toward your children.They are people who have feelings just like you do. Giving them time to prepare for and process instructions that you have for them will show that you are being considerate of them and will make a bit easier for them to want to submit (Matthew 7:12).
• Take the time to explain to your children that the authority you as their parent exercise over them is delegated to you by God. It is not because of some arbitrary standard you might have fabricated (Ephesians 6:1-3).

How to Pray Through This: 

Verse: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account…” (Hebrews 12:17).

Prayer: Father, please work within me a submissive heart so that I might be a living example for my children. Please use my example to help them grow and mature in submission.

Verse: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you  (James 4:7).

Prayer: Father, help me not only to be an example for my children, but to be able to explain to them the importance of submission. Help them to see that when we submit to our authorities we are submitting to You.

Verse: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged”  (Colossians 3:21).

Prayer: Father, help me to use self control when I speak to my children. I know when I am harsh or demanding, it causes them to become frustrated and angry, and will be a hindrance to their growth in learning how to submit.

Verse: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).

Prayer: Father, please work within my children and give them a submissive heart so that they might experience Your promised blessings.