A
alicerbob
Guest
My daughters and I disagree about whether satan causes their children to behave badly. I also don’t know when it’s “the flesh” or “satan” doing the influencing, and when the child’s response becomes sin. They don’t believe in spanking their children as a form of discipline, so they only talk/discuss with their children who throw tantrums, scream for long periods, and test boundaries many times daily. They are offended that I am praying that their children not be manipulated by the enemy (devil) since they say children are not capable of sin until about age 7 as the Church teaches and that their disobedience and rebellion is a natural part of development, not satan’s influence. To me, their behavior looks pretty satanic, so as a prayer warrior, I’m silently trying to cut the devil off. It usually doesn’t work, however. I’m also amazed at the patience of my daughters while all this is going on, but the stress in their lives is very obvious.
Scripture says we are all born into sin “Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed ?..”(Job 14:4) and “For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.” (Ps. 5l:5), and therefore why Jesus died for us all (all would include children) Romans 5:12-19, 1 Cor. 15: 21,22.
I understand that above all, we are to love, and to discipline through love. Somehow my daughters believe the “spare the rod, spoil the child” scripture (Proverbs 13:24) no longer applies, yet their children’s behavior makes visits rather hellish. What is the true Catholic teaching on the source of sin in children and how to discipline in love?
Scripture says we are all born into sin “Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed ?..”(Job 14:4) and “For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.” (Ps. 5l:5), and therefore why Jesus died for us all (all would include children) Romans 5:12-19, 1 Cor. 15: 21,22.
I understand that above all, we are to love, and to discipline through love. Somehow my daughters believe the “spare the rod, spoil the child” scripture (Proverbs 13:24) no longer applies, yet their children’s behavior makes visits rather hellish. What is the true Catholic teaching on the source of sin in children and how to discipline in love?