Siblings: Best Friends!!!

I'm reading 2 Timothy this week, and a verse came up that we have taught our kids: "A servant of the Lord must not argue but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient..." (V24)

I'm often asked by people, after finding out we have a small army of children, if our children get along or if they fight all the time. That is usually followed with them telling me that they hated their siblings growing up or that their own children argue all the time and don't like each other.

I thought I'd address this question. Our children for the most part are best friends. They don't fight. They occasionally disagree and work it out. They occasionally push each other's buttons (especially the younger boys), but at the end of the day, they love being together and are very thankful for each other. Society will tell you that brothers and sisters are supposed to bicker and not like each other. I just wanted to throw in the truth, cause parents have been lied to. Truth comes from God's Word and it tells Christians that we should not argue, but die to ourselves and love others more than we love ourselves. It tells us to be gentle and patient. self controlled, and loving. It tells us in the previous verse to "avoid foolish disputes."

What better training ground for life than in your own home with your own brothers and sisters learning to have a servant's heart, to love, to learn to not argue, to be gentle and patient? What better place to practice the fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self Control, Meekness, Faithfulness)?

So don't buy into the lie. Don't allow your kids to foster anger and hatred towards each other. Start young and don't let them be ugly or selfish with each other. Stop nasty tones in their voice and teach them to be sweet to each other. Remind them that they are a gift to each other and are best friends. God's ways work. You can have a home filled with peace. But 3 things are required: 1. You have to believe that God's Word is truth. 2. You have to teach the truth to your kids. 3. You have to model this yourself to your spouse and children.

If you can't live your Christianity at home, then it's not real.

   

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