Culture of Lies

Our adoptions may not be inter-racial, but they certainly are cross-cultural. My middle children, Mackenzee and Braydyn, lived several years with their birth family in a culture of dishonesty. They learned to speak the language of lies fluently and effortlessly. They were taught by example that lying gets you good things: money, sympathy, and attention. They also learned that by lying you can escape blame and avoid consequences for wrong actions. But Satan is the father of lies, and eventually truth is brought to light. There is no escaping the punishment and suffering for sin. 

As a mother, my heart is grieved over the sins of my children. I suffer when my children suffer. But the same is true for my children. They have suffered so much for the sins of their birth parents. Sometimes I wonder if the suffering will ever end, but I find hope for my children in God's word.

"'What?' you ask.  'Doesn't the child pay for the parent's sins? No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent's sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child's sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness." (Ezekiel 18:19-20 NLT)

The hope is found in one simple word: if. If my children do what is just and right and keep God's decrees, they will escape punishment.  It is my task; therefore, to teach my children this principle when they are young so that when they are grown they will love righteousness. As a mother, I want my children to have life just as the Heavenly Father wants his children to have life. "I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!" (Ezekiel 18:32 NLT)

Now I realize the most important lesson I can teach my children is repentance. I explained to my daughter that her lies are called sin because God says not to lie. Then I told her that sin is what separates her from God and the reason why Jesus had to die on the cross for her forgiveness. After I explained this, I asked her to pray about her behavior. 

It worked! She came into my room and quietly admitted that she has been lying. She prayed aloud and wept. "God, help me do better. I hope you can forgive me, and I hope my mom forgives me too." Then I had the joy of quoting this verse to her. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."(1 John 1:9 NIV) I told her that God does forgive her and so do I.  

As a parent, I must teach my children that there are consequences for sin. The punishment brings sorrow to the child, but "godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

And repentance is what changes behavior. God says, "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." (Matthew 3:8 NLT)