The Primacy of God’s Word in Parenting

I love digging deep into church history to uncover parenting advice that has not only stood the test of time, but which might be even more necessary and true than it was when it was first given. I recently ran across a quote from John Chrysostom, an early church father who lived from 347 until 407. Listen carefully to these words from Chrysostom: “As he who but partially pares away the image on a royal coin renders the whole spurious, so he who swerves ever so little from the pure faith, soon proceeds from this to graver errors, and he becomes entirely corrupted.” If we connect what Chrysostom says with parenting, we are reminded that as Christian parents we must remain faithful to God’s Word in everything, teaching our kids the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Parents, we need to heed the words of Proverbs 30:5 and 6: Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.