Bible Verses For Parents To Live By

Last year, I wrote a post about Bible verses to use while shepherding your child through various life issues, which has been a blessing to many. I had no intention to ever write a faith-related post on the blog. But it was laid on my heart very heavily and I thought of sharing it with other parents. Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my actions as a parent. Throughout the past couple months; I’ve been scrolling the Bible finding verses pertaining to certain topics. I’ve been memorizing the verses and trying to apply it in my life. So today I’m sharing with you, 10 topics and Bible verses for parents to live by.

There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t remind my boys about controlling their anger and showing mercy. The verse, “Be slow to anger and plenteous in mercy” is etched in their brains because of the number of times its repeated in the house. But as I was reflecting one day, I realized I was not quite modeling all these characteristics that I am expecting of my children. How many times do I lose my cool? Do I forgive easily? Am I being the person God wants me to be? Am I being a parent that Jesus will be proud of and say, “well done, my child”?

BIBLE VERSES FOR PARENTS TO LIVE BY

All verses are from NIV

1) WISDOM

Parenting is rewarding but the most difficult job that I’ve ever held. We can’t be effective parents if we don’t have wisdom. My 8-year-old has a way of asking questions that stumble me daily. I don’t mean questions related to school alone but character defining questions that often perplex me. I need wisdom from above to navigate through the questions and in raising my boys.

James 1:5 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

2) PRAYER

Prayer is the most powerful weapon a parent can possess. I am a strong believer in prayers. We can only shield ourselves from our every day foes be it negativity, inadequacies, comparisons, with effective, consistent prayers.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

3) HEART

The condition of our heart affects everything we do. Whether it is our walk with the Lord or the way we are with our kids and family. Everything stems from the heart. So it’s important to guard our heart and keep it well nourished. I mean King Solomon calls it the “wellspring of life” and he was a man blessed with wisdom from above!

Proverbs 4:23 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Psalms 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

4) WORRY

oh, the number of times I tell my kids not to worry, but never take the advice myself. The minute something happens, I’m wrapped and engulfed in a cloud of worry. What am I really showing my kids?

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

5) ANGER

Anger is a natural emotion but if we don’t learn to control it, it can cause so much hurt and damage. As parents, we are pulled in so many directions and faced with challenges daily. We can lose our patience quite easily. While I tell my kids to be slow to anger, I need to be certain to take the same advice.

Psalm 103:8

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

James 1:19

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

6) SPEAKING THE TRUTH

How many times have you lied to your kids about little things? “Mom, can I have some candy?” “No, there isn’t any left.” I am guilty of this big time. These are small little white lies we tell our kids to keep them “healthy” or to avoid a major tantrum. Or how about the lies we tell others in front of our kids? They are watching us constantly and closely. So if we tell them not to lie, shouldn’t we be modeling that for them?

Proverbs 12:22

The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Colossians 3:9

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

7) TALK & CONDUCT

The way we respond and talk to our kids every day is so crucial. I often have to catch myself in the way I answer and act, especially after a long exhausting day. How do we handle ourselves in the middle of a crisis? Is our talk pleasing when we are in the middle of a conversation? How about when we are stuck in a slow moving lane? The way we conduct ourselves every day serves as an example for our children. I came across this quote recently, “Who you are speaks so loudly, I can barely hear what you’re saying” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Our talk and actions all matter so much.

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

8) KIND

In the morning, before I step out of the bed, I pray that I act kindly to my kids no matter what happens that day. Often take for granted, that they are little but they are human beings and they deserve to be treated kindly. Would I be unkind to strangers despite the day I’m having? No! Children are the daily recipients of our mood and attitude, so we need to watchful of how we respond to them. If we want them to be kind to each other, then it should start with us.

EPHESIANS 4:32

BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER, FORGIVING EACH OTHER, JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU.

9) FORGIVENESS

The most important lesson in forgiveness I learned was to confess my wrongdoings to my children and ask for their forgiveness. I still remember the first time I asked my son to forgive me. I explained to him that just like him, mommy makes mistakes all the time and that I was sorry. He was taken aback at first but now it’s an ongoing practice in our home. Children need to see us confessing and humbling ourselves. We should also be quick to forgive our kids and also never rehash issues that were already dealt with in the past.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Proverbs 19:11

A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

10) UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

I want my boys to know that they will be loved unconditionally no matter what. After all, God loves us despite of our weaknesses and sins. Our kids should feel loved whether they are moody, naughty, back talkers, liars, etc. Their behavior does not diminish our love for them. Yes, of course, their behavior can be disappointing and hurtful but true parental love perseveres.

I Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts always hopes, and always perseveres.

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