Christian Foundations

May 10, 2007

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

--Genesis 3:7

One of the results of sin entering the world was shame. Before Adam and Eve sinned, they lived in purity and innocence and there was no shame. But when they sinned, they lost their innocence.

They felt shame when they all of sudden realized their state.

We are all born with that sense of innocence. But unfortunately, children today lose that innocence far too quickly. As a result, children grow up too fast these days, in part because inappropriate things are being thrust upon them every day.

And even though we may want to protect our children as long as possible, we can only do so much. The loss of that sense of innocence early in life seems to be inevitable in our fallen world.

But there is still a lot you can do to help your children stay true to the Lord. One way is to be honest with them about the real results of sin. Help your children see that sin produces shame. Teach them that sin will cost them more than they would ever want to pay, take them places they don’t want to go, and keep them there longer than they want to stay.

Sin brings guilt, shame, and grief. Sin promises pleasures, but produces pain. Sin promises life, but delivers death.

You may feel as if you’re fighting a losing battle at times as you fight for the protection of innocence. But that’s not true. Don’t give up! Do what you can to protect your children, but more importantly, teach them the horrific consequences of sin.

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THAT SIN PRODUCES SHAME, GUILT, AND GRIEF…AND WILL COST MUCH MORE THAN THEY WILL WANT TO PAY.