One of the benefits of
intimately knowing and trusting the word of God is the ability to avoid coercion
and manipulation in dealing with others,
especially your children. It is an easy
thing to slip into manipulation rather than to trust God's methods and
direction. Manipulation provides an all
too accessible short-cut for trusting in God to work in the lives of your
children. Manipulation is trying to get someone else to do what you want them
to do simply because you want them to. This
kind of behavior is quite different from what Proverbs 16:12 teaches:.
Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
Notice how authority is
secured - through righteousness. Manipulation, no matter how noble the motive,
involves a contest of wills - yours and your child's. Here is an example of
manipulation. Sean, if you are good
today and pick up your toys after each time you play with them, Mommy will buy
you an ice cream cone tonight.
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Another question: How would this scenario change if the ice-cream cone was a legitimate reward for good behavior?