The same kind of wickedness and sin that destroyed those cities of old are still with us today.

Finding righteous men is also getting harder and harder. How long will the Lord’s patience continue?

If this clear example means nothing to folks today, how can anything be done to save them? The blantant disregard to the warnings of God for us to stay away from evil and come to Him seem as nothing to this wicked generation.

The warning you just clearly shared leaves me to ask, “Who is listening?”

The statistics that I have cited in the article came from a very small pool, compiled by a single evangelist over his tenure with the church in Miami, Oklahoma. However, I do believe that the tendency is probably accurate throughout the church.

One difference may be the use of the word “Christian”. While most research would classify anyone who states any belief in Christ as a “Christian”, the term in these statistics as well as in most instances on this site, is far more narrow in nature. Here, “Christian” means one who is dedicated to serving Christ in the manner described in the New Testament, without human invention, or adaptations. Most of the research you referenced would be broader, compiled for all denominations and sects claiming “Christian” status.

When both mates are dedicated to serving Christ in the manner He prescribes in His word, the incidence of divorce will be much lower than the typical average.

Hope that helps to give an explanation of the statistics, and why they may seem to be askew of what is readily available!

I always enjoy your posts here. Being complacent shows a lack of faith and that is certainly a sin as pointed out in Hebrews 3:12-13. If we don’t believe God is working in our lives as Christians today we are denying plain Bible teaching. It seems that Israel saw God’s power working in their lives for the forty years of their wandering in the wilderness and still couldn’t believe it. Being “lukewarm” is an indication of being stagnant (Rev. 3:16) which will cause many to be rejected by God.

M: If she does that, it will make Jesus sad
D: It will make Santa sad if she does it?
M: Well, it will make Santa sad too. But I said it will make Jesus sad.
D: And Santa lives with Jesus.

It is so upsetting that parents do this kind of thing. Our God is so real and so special. Why bring Him down to the level of a fantasy figure. I have heard many parents say, “Well, I never lie to my kids. If they ask if he’s real, I will tell them the truth.” Well, I guess that is good. But, what about creating a deception? Isn’t that wrong,too? If it is a game of make believe, why not just be upfront with our children and tell them that we just “pretend” Santa just like we “pretend” princess. Are you familiar with “Elf on a Shelf?” It further propagates the deception. I just don’t understand it.

In my 4 and 5 year old Bible class, one little girl said, “Santa and God are best friends.” This is the conclusion she came to when her parents allowed her to believe Santa was real. Our children’s concept of God is so precious. I am not willing to risk compromising that for the “lie” of Santa.

Your response lacks logic. Let me explain.

1. In your first point, you try to make parallel two things that are simply not parallel at all. Whether or not there is a Santa Clause is purely objective, while whether something “sounds good” is very subjective. When you tell a child that Santa delivered presents, there is absolutely no truth to the statement. However, a young child playing an instrument can sound very good to a parent, even if it doesn’t sound good to you. Also, telling a child that they “sound good” is a relative statement, not an absolute. Now, if a parent told their young child that they are the best oboe player in the world, we may have a parallel. For you to suppose that a child needs lying to in order to lead a happy life is a completely ridiculous assumption.

2. In your second point, I think you have put your finger on the distinction that has already been made. The “gimmies” are typically thought of as being the child pitching a fit in the store because he can’t have what he wants. Children can have desires, but it is the selfishness that I do not want displayed in my children. I do not believe that having desires, and even doing the best that one can stands in contrast to being content. Being content is what allows for the child not to pitch a fit when he is told no, and it is what causes adults to treat people in the right manner when they don’t always get their way.

3. Your whimsical depiction of heaven is not anything close to the biblical depiction, and does not reflect anything close to what I have heard anyone say in teaching others (let alone children). That being said, I am not sure you really understood the point I was making in the article. Controlling behavior by either offering a reward for the changed behavior, or threatening the withholding of a gift because the behavior hasn’t changed, is bribery. I mentioned in the article that I certainly don’t think it wrong for parents to reward children, but there is a big difference between that and “paying” for the behavior you want. The difference is, good kids get rewards, spoiled brats act good one time to get their bribe. To illustrate that, my children work hard around the house to help me and their mother. Occasionally, we decide to give them a small financial “bonus” for their help. They don’t expect it, and never know when it will come. They are not bribed, they are rewarded.

While my kids are taught that God exists, and watches what is done on the earth, they are never “bribed” with the idea of heaven. For one, I cannot either offer it to them, or take it from them. Secondly, heaven is a reward for the faithful, not a “one moment in time” prize. Third, it is a place for submissive servants, not a place “where they will have everything they ever wanted” (a concept of selfishness if ever I heard it). So, yes, my children learn that there are expectations that are held for them because God exists, and has revealed His will…but no, heaven is not a “bribe” used to force good behavior.

2. I also, see nothing wrong with people who have the gimme, give me, gimme attitude. it is natural for adults and children to want what they don’t have. What i do have a problem with is parent who don’t teach their kid the correct way to obtain what they want.There is nothing wrong with a kid wanting a toy at Walmart, but if he rolls on the ground crying because he can’t have it, then he is wrong. I would encourage the wanting attitude. How can anybody accomplish anything in life if they are perfectly content with what they have.

3. You say it is wrong to bribe children to behave. But why is it okay to tell them that if they behave they get to go to magical wonder land where they will have everything they ever wanted?
You’re still bribing your children, your just using heaven instead of toys.

Just some opinions of mine.
I wonder how long it will take?

Here is an article that shows the public’s reaction when you have the audacity to reveal the truth to second graders.

Excellent article.

Parents are largely MIA today on so many topics. It is not innocence we are robbing them of when we teach them about Santa Clause.