It’s campaign season. Which means it’s promise-breaking season. But politicians aren’t the only ones who make promises that can’t or won’t be kept. The pursuit of pleasure promises freedom but leads to slavery. Hard work promises fulfillment but often leads to hard times and broken relationships. Possessions promise contentment, but often result in disappointment and envy. Education promises answers, but leaves us with more questions.
King David believed the promise offered by his lustful glance at Bathsheba would bring him satisfaction. How did that work out for him? The modern world is not so different than the ancient world. This is the message that you are to tell your children.
You must prepare your children for a world which is deceptive by its very nature. For the most part, the people in this world do not realize they are being deceived. Most would be shocked and horrified to know that they actually are serving the cause of Satan. However, Ephesians 2:1-3 teaches that all who do not know Christ are, in fact, serving Satan, whether they realize it or not. People who think they have the answers to life without God are following a deceptive path that ends in great sadness and despair.
The world wants you and your children to think only of the moment. The truth is that any thought that fails to consider the honor of God ends up in disillusionment. This is why Paul insists that we must take every thought captive.
The way of wickedness and deception is paved with promises that cannot be kept. This is why Solomon pleads with his son in Proverbs 4 to turn from the promises of this world:
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on…
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Help your children to discern which promises can be trusted and which promises are made to be broken. God’s word and his promises are made to be kept!