Daily Devotional, Nov 17, 2023 Swimming Frogs
"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6
It is common to assume that if we put a live frog in a big pot of boiling water, it would immediately leap out. However, if you let the frogs swim in a big pot with tap water and gradually heat it to boiling point, the frog will not notice the slow change in water temperature and will just swim in the big pot. When the time comes that the water becomes too hot for his comfort, it will be too late for him and he will not have the energy to jump and save himself.
It is the same thing with us, as we get embroiled in this fast-paced world bombarded with influencers, and ever-shifting changes in society, culture, and values. If we are not careful, we, along with our children could get brainwashed with these new world values that clearly contradict the gospel teachings we should be upholding in our homes.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
As moms, we should be careful not just about what media content we personally consume, but what each of our children watch, read, and follow. We should be on top of these things and continue to re-calibrate their minds back to the one truth that will keep them grounded — the truth about Jesus.
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,and the wonders that he has done." Psalm 78:4
We should remind them that it is not normal to go against God’s design for an individual, a family, and an organization. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
No one else will intentionally teach our children about Gospel values but us. We need to act now because they might already be in the simmering pot of worldly values since these information are at the palms of their hands. These influence peddlers are even welcomed in the comforts of our own houses through our televisions. The voice of truth should resound in our homes and lived out by our whole family not just every Sunday worship or every nightly prayer, but all throughout our daily lives.
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Interweaving conversations with bible truths is important, and our children are never too young, or too mature for this. We can discuss these as families in passing, and of course we should discuss bible truths intentionally. We cannot delegate this task to our children’s teachers, or even to the church and Sunday School.
More importantly we have to set a good example by making them see and feel that Jesus is at the center of our lives. Remember, the Lord has commanded us to train our children, and this we should take to heart:
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
As for us adults, we should see the moral of the frog story as catching ourselves early on in the bait of sin. For example, what we see as random unplanned credit card purchases due to covetousness can suddenly land as deep into debt, and swimming in the sin of idolatry. What could be a casual exchange of text messages, and then invitations for coffee could turn into an adulterous relationship that will destroy our families. We must know when to jump out and flee from a situation before it gets too late, and before we self-destruct. Let’s take the courage to get out of the sinful situation and hold on to God’s promise:
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
More importantly, we should not allow sin to rule over our lives, and the only way to do that is by nurturing a personal relationship with the Lord. When we are living in His presence, we will continuously hear his voice encouraging us to do the right thing.
"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:1-2
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 78:2-4 and 1 Timothy 6: 11-12 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you aware of the various influences surrounding you and your children? How do you make sure that these influences will not lead you and your family astray?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, we praise and thank you for loving us, and ensuring that the Holy Scriptures will guide us into leading our children to the right path. Empower me as a parent to keep our family centered to you, so that I can be a good example to the children. Amen.