Everything thing we say and everything we do is being picked up by our children, just like the old tape recorders.
“I am showing my age here”. Our children are watching us to see how we live our lives and so we have to be careful what we say and do.
I was reading through scriptures in Proverbs and some verses jumped out at me in chapter 20.
See my blog post for last week on teaching kids about hard work.
BRIEF STORY
I try to do morning devotions with my kids on most days and then evening devotions with my husband.
I plan to do a blog post about devotions later on, so keep a lookout for that one.
However, when we do our devotions, I like to bring out some kind of life application or give our kids examples of the scriptures we are talking about.
Let’s check out Proverbs 20:7 and see what God is trying to tell us.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTEGRITY IN PARENTING
As parents, we are responsible for shaping the character of our children. The way we live our lives, the values we hold, and the decisions we make, all have a profound impact on our kids. Therefore, we must model integrity in our parenting. When we demonstrate honesty, fairness, and consistency, we teach our children to do the same. This not only helps them build a strong moral compass but also strengthens the bond of trust between parent and child. When we uphold integrity in our parenting, we create a safe and nurturing environment where our children can thrive and grow into responsible adults.
WHAT IS INTEGRITY
Integrity is a vital character trait that every parent should instill in their children. It is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Children with high integrity are more likely to make responsible decisions and stand up for what is right, even when no one is watching. As a parent, you can model integrity by being truthful, keeping your promises, and admitting your mistakes. It is also important to teach your children to be accountable for their actions and to value honesty over personal gain. By prioritizing integrity in your family, you are helping to raise children who will make positive contributions to society and be a shining example to others.
LET’S LOOK AT PROVERBS 20:7
Proverbs 20:7 of the Bible reads, “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” This verse emphasizes the importance of living a life of integrity and righteousness.
In other words, when we walk in integrity, we gain the trust of those around us, and our children are likely to follow in our footsteps. The “just man” mentioned in the verse is honest, fair, and upright in all his dealings, both with God and with others. His children will be blessed because they will have a solid foundation on which to build their own lives.
As a mom, I understand the importance of modeling good behavior for our children. By walking in integrity ourselves, we can help our children grow up with a strong sense of morality and a desire to do what is right. This is a wonderful gift we can give to our children that will benefit them for their entire lives.
WHAT IS A JUST MAN
As a Christian, the concept of a “just man” is a fundamental part of my faith. According to the Bible, a just man is someone who lives a righteous life and seeks to do what is right in the eyes of God. In other words, a just man is someone who not only lives a righteous life himself but also sets an example for those around him to follow.
In the New Testament, Jesus also speaks about the importance of being just. In the Sermon on the Mount, He states “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” This suggests that those who seek to be just and do what is right in the eyes of God will be rewarded.
Ultimately, being a just man involves living a life centered around God and His teachings. It means treating others with kindness and respect, seeking to do what is right even when it is difficult, and striving to make the world a better place. As a Christian, I believe that being a just man is not only important for our spiritual well-being but also the benefit of those around us.
INTEGRITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
As humans, we all make choices that have consequences- some good and some bad. It is important to apply wisdom in our decision-making process, especially in our daily lives. Wisdom is not only about knowledge but also about how we apply that knowledge to our lives. Practical examples of applying wisdom include making wise financial decisions, choosing healthy relationships, and practicing self-control. When making financial decisions, it is important to avoid impulsive purchases and instead opt for saving and investing. Choosing healthy relationships means surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us to grow in our faith and personal lives. Practicing self-control can mean setting boundaries in our lives, such as limiting our screen time or taking a break from social media. By applying wisdom in our daily lives, we can make better choices that lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.
As a busy mom of eight, I have had countless opportunities to model integrity in front of my children every single day. Parenting is an ongoing journey of growth and learning in which I pray for God to help me, Therefore, each moment can serve as a teachable one to instill important values in your children.
Here are five examples of parenting moments that can be opportunities for integrity:
- Admitting mistakes: When you make a mistake, own up to it and apologize to your child. This models honesty and humility and shows your child that it is okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
- Following through on promises: Keep your word and follow through on promises you make to your child. This shows your child that you are trustworthy and helps them learn the importance of keeping their promises.
- Encouraging respect: Teach your child to show respect by modeling respectful behavior towards others. This can be as simple as using polite language and listening attentively when your child speaks.
- Practicing patience: Parenting can be challenging and frustrating at times, but practicing patience with your child can demonstrate self-control and kindness. This also helps your child develop their patience and empathy towards others.
- Prioritizing family time: Show your child the importance of family by prioritizing time spent together. This can be as simple as having a family game night or going on a walk together. Making family time a priority communicates to your child that they are valued and loved.
Remember, parenting is a journey and each moment can be an opportunity to model integrity for your children. By consistently demonstrating honesty, respect, patience, and love, you can help shape your child into a person of strong character and integrity.
NURTURING HONESTY AND MORAL PRINCIPLES
As parents, it can be challenging to navigate the waters of raising children who are honest and have strong moral principles. It is essential to create a home environment that nurtures these values from a young age. One of the best ways to do this is by leading by example. Children learn by observing their parents, so it is crucial to live honestly and with integrity in all aspects of life.
When they see us telling things, it should always be truthful. There is no such thing as a little white lie, or stretching the truth.
You are either telling the truth or you are not. If you are not telling the truth or you only tell part of the truth, then your kids will pick up on that. It gives off a message that you only have to have integrity or honesty part of the time.
When we make mistakes, it is essential to model taking responsibility for them and making things right.
Another important aspect of nurturing honesty and moral principles is to create a safe space for our children to ask questions and express themselves. When children feel heard and understood, they are more likely to develop a strong sense of self and the confidence to make good choices. It is also essential to have open and honest conversations about what is right and wrong and to teach our children to stand up for what they believe in, even if it is not a popular opinion.
Lastly, it is important to create a culture of accountability in our homes. When our children make mistakes, it is important to hold them accountable while also showing them love and grace. This helps them to understand that consequences are a natural part of life and that we can learn from our mistakes. By nurturing honesty and moral principles in our children, we set them up for success in all areas of life.
WHY INTEGRITY MATTERS
Integrity is a quality that is essential in every aspect of life. It means being honest, truthful, and having strong moral principles. Building strong foundations of integrity is crucial because it has a long-term impact on character. Integrity is not something that is developed overnight, but rather it is a habit that is cultivated over time. When we make integrity a habit, it becomes a part of who we are, and we become known for our honesty and trustworthiness.
One of the long-term impacts of integrity is that it helps us to build strong relationships with others. When we have integrity, people know that they can trust us and rely on us. This is especially important in our relationships, as our loved ones need to know they can count on us to be there for them. When we have integrity, we are also more likely to attract people of integrity into our lives, which in turn helps us to build strong and lasting friendships.
Integrity is also important when it comes to our relationship with God. When we have integrity, we are honest with ourselves and with God. We recognize our faults and weaknesses, and we work to overcome them. We also strive to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, and we make decisions based on what is right, rather than what is easy or convenient. When we have integrity in our relationship with God, we experience a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment in our lives.
In conclusion, integrity is an important quality that should be cultivated in every aspect of our lives. It helps us to build strong foundations, has a long-term impact on character, and helps us to set the right relationships with God. Let us strive to live with integrity in all that we do, and let us be known for our honesty and trustworthiness.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE JOURNEY
I want to give you moms a little encouragement for the journey as you teach your kiddo integrity. After all, we all need some encouragement now and then.
Life can be challenging, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the difficulties and struggles that we face along the way. I know first-hand how overwhelming life can sometimes seem. I believe that is why it’s so important to make time for reading the Bible and seeking God in prayer.
After all, Jesus is where our strength comes from and we can’t do it alone.
Teaching our children about integrity is crucial for their growth and success in life. Proverbs 20:7 reminds us that the righteous lead a life of integrity, and we should strive to instill this value in our children. As parents and educators, it is our responsibility to model integrity and to teach our children the importance of honesty, trustworthiness, and moral character. By doing so, we equip them with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of life with grace and honor. So let us continue to prioritize teaching integrity to our children, and may God guide us as we raise the next generation of leaders. Thank you for stopping by, and may the Lord bless you and your family.
As a busy mom, you have a lot on your plate. But even amid all your responsibilities, it’s important to take time to reflect on the wisdom found in the Bible. Proverbs 20:7 is a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity in our lives.
As you read through my blog post, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on how this passage applies to your own life.
Are there areas where you could use some improvement in terms of your integrity?
Are there relationships that could be strengthened if you were to hold yourself to a higher standard of honesty and character?
I also invite you to share your insights and experiences in the comments below.
We can all learn from one another as we seek to live lives of integrity and honor. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post and if you enjoy this content, please consider subscribing to our newsletter.