We say
"Monkey See, Monkey Do"
when we're admiring our clever children
mimicking a behavior they witnessed.
We also say
"Monkey See, Monkey Do"
when we blame other kids for wrongly influencing our darlings' behavior.
"Monkey See, Monkey Do"
when we blame other kids for wrongly influencing our darlings' behavior.
It took me a few years to understand 2 things clearly
about raising my adorable little monkeys.
Monkeys don't always have to see to do.
about raising my adorable little monkeys.
Monkeys don't always have to see to do.
1. They have a sin nature.
Psalm 51:5
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me."
And in sin my mother conceived me."
Some behaviors are learned, some acquired, but the nature of sin begins at birth.
Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden,
all mankind has been born with the same fallen nature.
In other words, the monkeys don't always have to see because
"Monkey Be, Monkey Do."
Theologically, I believed in the sin nature, but I didn't understand.
I was surprised when my adorable babies grew up
and were selfish, had tempers, pouted, stole, hit, bit and refused to share toys.
I thought the better Christian I was, the better parent I would be
and the better my children would be.
Actively pursuing the Christian faith only took care of MY sin nature, not theirs.
I was surprised when my adorable babies grew up
and were selfish, had tempers, pouted, stole, hit, bit and refused to share toys.
I thought the better Christian I was, the better parent I would be
and the better my children would be.
Actively pursuing the Christian faith only took care of MY sin nature, not theirs.
One day my husband came home to a disillusioned, sad, stressed-out mother.
I was down that my kids were SO naughty.
As I related the struggles of the day, he looked at me and simply said,
"They're just doing their job. They're sinners."
I was down that my kids were SO naughty.
As I related the struggles of the day, he looked at me and simply said,
"They're just doing their job. They're sinners."
It was an epiphany.
I expected my kids to be good and was disappointed when they weren't.
So, if their job was to sin,
my job was to train, instruct, correct and love them.
I expected my kids to be good and was disappointed when they weren't.
So, if their job was to sin,
my job was to train, instruct, correct and love them.
Changing behavior won't happen overnight.
It won't be easy.
Some kids may struggle with an area of sin their entire life.
It won't be easy.
Some kids may struggle with an area of sin their entire life.
Until the spirit of God indwells them through salvation
that comes through faith in Christ, and gives them power over sin,
it's our job to help them navigate those struggles.
They can graciously learn,
just because they be, they don't have to do.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tomorrow, we'll talk about the 2nd lesson I learned ~
that one about who the monkeys are imitating the most.
that one about who the monkeys are imitating the most.
