“Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin” (Proverbs 21:4 NLT).
This proverbs speaks to the reality that sin is more than an action, but is preceded by an attitude and heart condition. Jesus addressed this reality in the Sermon on the Mount when he connected the prohibitions of the Decalogue with the attitudes of the heart. Certainly the understanding of this should drive us to our need for a Savior. For who else can rescue us from this body of death?
And as parents, it should also instruct our care for our children, so that our discipline is not just for the action, but aimed at the attitude of the heart. Here again, the desire to shepherd your child’s heart should drive you to your need for Christ’s help.
For Christ alone is able to give us a new heart.
PRAYER: Father thank you for Jesus. He is the Shepherd of our hearts. Examine our hearts this day and empower us to live in Your Spirit. For those of us who are parents and grandparents, give us the insight and wisdom to do more than parent our child’s behavior. Help us to shepherd their hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.