FOR MOST CHILDREN ITS "ME", "MINE" AND "NO".
FOR MOST CHILDREN ITS "ME", "MINE" AND "NO".
But as they mature - It's Care for others.
#642/2016 for 12 March 2016
POWER TIME WORD DAILY DEVOTION with Overseer Mukwena
BIBLE READING:
1 Corinthians 13:11
Philippians 2:4-5
1 Corinthians 14:20
The documentary titled, "The secret lives of 4 to 6 year olds" has some astounding insights.
That is an age when futures are formed.
Child Psychologists secretly observed the behaviour of 12 children playing together in a ground with teachers nearby allowing them to be free.
Initially the children showed extensive selfish behaviour, insecurity and prejudice.
They yelled, quarrelled, fought, cried, discriminated each other from various perspectives and cheated as well as lied heavily in different circumstances.
The most frequent word was, "No! no! no!"
After "no", the next most frequent word was, "Mine, mine, mine", which tied with, "Me, me, me!", as they haggled over space, toys, friends, respect and privileges.
Let's leave Child Psychology alone and just learn something from it and from the Bible.
Apostle Paul wrote, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV).
1. BEHAVIOUR IS LEARNED AND ACQUIRED
Children get their behaviour and socialisation skills from the home environment where parents, siblings, TV (Cartoon networks) and modern games play a pivotal role.
You too will be affected by the same forces in your contexts.
So beware of bad carnal associations and what programmes you watch.
2. INSIDE EVERYONE, THERE IS A ROGUE TO TAME
You may have thought the rogues are others.
Isaiah knew he was bad and doomed and said, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips. (Isaiah 6:5 KJV).
3. THE HEART IS PLIABLE, IT CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
Your heart can do anything and go anywhere, anyhow, just like those kids.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23 KJV).
Keep and hide God's word in your heart always to help you not sin against God (Psalm 119:11 KJV).
This will help you have a heart and will better than a child - as you become word and Holy Ghost led (Galatians 5:16 and 18).
4. THINK-UNDERSTAND-SPEAK NOT SPEAK-UNDERSTAND SPEAK.
According to the Psychologist's experiment, originally confirmed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:11, cognitive indulgence in children is upside down - 1. Speak. 2. Understand, then 3. Think.
It is supposed to be: Think, understand then speak.
Do not rush to act or speak.
Seek counsel from the wise, older and experienced people. (Proverbs 24:6).
Seek to understand people, situations and things, then think, then speak and act.
The Bible forbids being rushed in words. (Proverbs 29:20 KJV).
Paul said, "Be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men." (1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV).
5. LIVE FOR OTHERS
Children mostly live for self.
It is always "me" and "mine" and "no"
That is wrong.
Live for others as Paul said, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5 KJV)
LAST WORD: In the experiment sited earlier on, matters improved as the kids stayed together over days. There were more approvals, respect, curdles and shows of affection among them. Almost always and in most things, girls were better than boys. Sorry boys and men!
RECOMMENDED ACTION
As Apostle Paul said, "Put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11), and in understanding be mature." (1 Corinthians 14:20).
BIBLE VERSE TO MEDITATE ON:
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
(1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV).