Is teenage rebellion preventable?

We live in a day where teen rebellion is considered normal and to be expected. But no where in Scripture is this presented as acceptable action. In fact, the Bible says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” God took this deliberate sin very seriously. Under Old Testament law, rebellious children were stoned. On the other hand, the only commandment with promise is directed to children: “Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land.”

Children follow the example set for them in the home. They may go to church, be in a youth group, and even attend a Christian school, but if they don’t see their parents exercising a genuine relationship with God, they too will likely follow the path exemplified by mom and dad. Your actions indeed speak louder than your words. Parents, don’t expect your children to exceed your moral standard of living.

The Bible instructs parents to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Many train up their children through the worldly philosophy of petting their kids egos and not disciplining their children for their “mistakes”. They are not taught the 10 Commandments and are not held accountable for their own actions. Instead, many parents make excuses for their child’s misbehavior and overlook their disobedience. As the child goes off to school and demands his own way, he has problems obeying the rules and getting along with peers. Then they are sent to get medical attention and are diagnosed with ADHD or some other conscience-salving disorder. They are put on drugs but their problems get progressively worse. Why? The root of the problem has been overlooked and the symptoms have been justified and excused. As adults, they seek psychiatric help, and blame others who have done them wrong. In this case, they can point the finger at mom and dad who failed to deal with the problem. As one has wisely stated, “You either must deal with the headache of chastising your child while they are young, or you will have heartache when they are older and punished by the penal system.”

The truth is, children are born sinners. (Thank your daddy for that hereditary disorder.) No one has to teach a child how to do wrong: that comes naturally. So God in His wisdom knew that children needed two caring parents to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is vital that children are taught absolutes. They want to know what is expected of them and what the boundaries are. Simply teach them what is right and what is wrong because God says it to be so. In the instance where children disobey your rules, you must apply the rod of correction. The Bible does not say, “When your child let’s you down, give him that disappointed frown.” It also does not say, “When your child is a scorner, make him stand in the corner.” But God does say, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him quickly.” Now that’s not too politically correct, but it certainly is a deterrent to crime. When applied appropriately out of a heart of love, immediate discipline is the answer to the child’s wayward inclinations. The rod of correction is God’s preventative to teenage rebellion when paired with a Godly example by the parents.