Cattle are not generally considered the smartest of God’s creatures. We can’t speak with them, and they do not read sign language. No one has ever received a text from a cow, and performing circus cows? Train a heifer to jump through a hoop, and you will amaze the world.
So, how do we get results with a cow? Food works, but only if the cow is hungry. The other way is to apply an electric prod to the animal’s posterior to get it moving the direction we want.
That sounds harsh, and it is. Yet, in our daily lives, we tend to do the same thing to the people around us. Our cattle prods are of a different nature, but they use the same principle. Apply pain, and someone will perform to our expectations, simply to avoid the unpleasant sensations.
No, we cry. Not us. We do not do this. However, the Bible recognizes humanity’s proclivity to do that very thing, and we are warned to put the prod away, for it will bring no good and lasting results.
Let’s look at two ways we unthinkingly apply our cattle prods:
Cattle Prod Mistake #1:
Ephesians 6:4 tells us, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
When we use cruel words, they become a cattle prod. When we call our children stupid or punish them harshly for age-appropriate mistakes, we are attempting to force improved behavior by the use of pain.
Cattle Prod Mistake #2:
Colossians 3:21 explains why this is so disastrous. “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
When we are beat down constantly, we will eventually give up. Our children are the same. If we continually apply our cattle prods to their backsides, they will ultimately throw in the towel, thinking, “What’s the point, if I can never live up to Mom and Dad’s standards?”
Rather, we must put away our cattle prods and find a different way. Children are not cattle. They are thinking, reasoning beings, and they deserve our respect and understanding.
The Word offers us a better way. Here are two ways to bring about positive changes in those under our charge:
Positive Power Application #1:
James 5:16 offers us a positive step in dealing with our children. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
We need to sit with our charges and talk to them. We must get to know them and understand why they do what they do. They also need to understand us, so that when we redirect them, they will see the reasonableness of our suggestions.
Positive Power Application #2:
Titus 3:2 also points out a positive path in building a successful person-to-person relationship. We are “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
When we are courteous, even in our correction of others, the love of Jesus will flow through us, and we will amaze the world with the hoops we can get people to jump through.
This is a truth that the world documents, even if they do not always follow through on it. However, as disciples of Jesus, how can we not find the love to act as Christ acted, rather than responding as a child of our flesh?
Toss the prod and bring out the praise. It is much more effective.
Copyright © 2014 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.F.09.14a.vp