How many of you know the story of Eli the priest. It's found in 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-36, 3:8-18. Eli was a priest and judge over Israel, but he had 2 wicked sons which he allowed to run wild in the temple without chastisement or discipline. These sons did everything which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. They had no respect for God, for the Temple nor for their father who was a priest over the temple. So because Eli refused to take charge and restrain his sons God held him accountable for their actions and rebellion. "For I have told him, that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his soms made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them."
Wow lets think about this story. Eli was a leader, a priest in the temple. He had position, authority, prestige, credibility but none of this amounted to much in the sight of God when he did not lord over his own household as effectively. His sons were "spiritual rebels" as one author puts it. So now lets ask ourselves how many of us are like Eli. How many of us would even dare to admit that we like Eli have raised "spiritual rebels" in our sons and daughters. Sons and daughters who have rebelled against God and want nothing to do with him. They have been allowed to come and go unchecked by mothers and fathers who are too busy with the things of ministry or church to take time and discipline their own children. Yet they feel they can tell others how they should run, their homes. Why, because they might wear a title. Not so. On the contrary. 1Timothy 3:4,5 tells us what is expected of godly leaders, 'one who rules his own house well, having his children in submisssion with all reverence ,(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)
Parents this thing is important to God. This Eli Sindrome as I call it, is no joke. There is too much compromise in the Body of Christ when it comes to leaders raising Godly children. When I was growing up they used to always say that preachers kids were always the worst ones. Why is that? In my case, I wasn't a preachers kid but I was a preacher's wife and therefore raised preacher's kids. 3 of them to be exact. How many of them are sold out and living for the Lord. Zero! Why, because of sin, hypocrisy, compromise, failure to discipline, and getting caught up in the business of doing church instead of living God's word. Failing to be accountable to God for the precious gifts he had given.
God will hold us accountable just as he did Eli over raising our children up. In order to rule well our emphasis must be on teaching our family/children or others in our household the things of God. We must be an example and practice what we preach. We can't get so involved in ministry, our jobs or careers that we deglect to do as the word teaches us in Proverbs, "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." The message version says, "point your kids in the right direction, when they're old they won't be lost."
Parents if you are still raising children it's not too late to take charge and walk in the authority that God has given you. Just like our heavenly Father disciplines us when we sin, misbehave, or have stank attitudes because He loves us. We must do the same for our children as well as others who may not be our children but whom we have authority over as spiritual leaders and authorities. We chastise, discipline, rebuke, correct, whatever you choose to call it because we love them and want long life for them.
And if your children are grown and away from the home, still know that it is not too late. Prayer, submission and relationship with the Father will change things. Believe for their salvation as I am doing and truly, truly live a life without compromise before them. Speak the truth at every opportunity and let them know you love them enough not to let them stay in their mess. Destroy the Eli Sindrome over your life and theirs.
In His Image,
Chosen
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