“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” – Mark 9:37
Protecting Our Children
We live in a world where our children are vulnerable and need our protection. The Bible repeatedly stresses the importance of caring for and safeguarding the innocent. As Christians, we have a clear responsibility to ensure that children are not only loved but also kept safe from harm. Protecting our children is not just an act of love; it is a duty laid out for us in God’s Word. The way we treat the little ones reflects our faith and our understanding of God’s love. We must stand against any behavior that could lead to the harming of children, always remembering that they are treasured by God.
Matthew 18:6
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6
Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Mark 10:14
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” – Mark 10:14
Lamentations 3:34
“To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny people their rights before the Most High, to deprive them of justice—would not the Lord see such things?” – Lamentations 3:34-35
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4
God’s View on Children
Children hold a special place in the heart of God. Throughout the Scriptures, we see how Jesus cherished children and emphasized their innate worth and innocence. As believers, we should mirror this divine view through our actions and attitudes towards the little ones. When we acknowledge the beauty and purity that children possess, we become more aware of our responsibility to protect them from harm. Each child is a precious gift, deserving of love, guidance, and a safe environment to grow up in.
Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew 19:14
Luke 17:2
“It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” – Luke 17:2
Psalms 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” – Psalms 127:3
Proverbs 29:15
“The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.” – Proverbs 29:15
Matthew 21:16
““Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” – Matthew 21:16
The Call to Action
As followers of Christ, we are called to protect the vulnerable and to actively stand against any form of abuse. The Bible uplifts the concept of justice, imploring us to not remain passive when evil prevails. It is our duty to speak up for those who cannot defend themselves, especially children. As we engage in our communities, let us remember that our voices hold power; we can advocate for children’s safety and well-being. There is a divine purpose behind our call to action as stewards of God’s creation, acting in defense of those who cannot defend themselves.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Hebrews 13:3
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” – Hebrews 13:3
The Heart of a Caregiver
Caring for children goes beyond mere protection; it involves nurturing them into mature, loving individuals. Our role as caregivers is to cultivate a safe, loving environment for them to thrive in. The Bible highlights the importance of guidance, teaching, and acknowledging the emotional needs of children. This reflects our love for God because in caring for His little ones, we are honoring Him and fulfilling His commands. Each act of kindness and compassion we extend to children showcases the heart of our heavenly Father.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
“Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Galatians 5:14
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” – Colossians 3:21
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27
The Example of Jesus
Jesus left us a profound example of how to treat children with love and respect. His interactions with children demonstrate the importance of valuing them and ensuring they feel safe and loved. We are called to emulate this by being active participants in children’s lives, offering at all times a loving and secure presence. By upholding the principles taught by Jesus, we become advocates for the innocent and ensure that they experience God’s love through us. We should always strive to reflect the love of Christ in our dealings with the children entrusted to us.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
Mark 9:42
“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” – Mark 9:42
Luke 18:16
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” – Luke 18:16
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” – Matthew 5:14-16
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Guiding Principles for Parenting
How we choose to raise children has lasting implications not only on their lives but on the community as well. The Bible guides us toward establishing strong values in our homes, which help our children develop into compassionate, responsible adults. Parenting is no small task, and it requires guidance, support, and wisdom rooted in Scripture. With the teaching of God’s Word, we can equip ourselves to make wise choices that protect children from harm and lead them into a loving relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Proverbs 13:24
“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” – Proverbs 13:24
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20
Psalms 144:12
“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.” – Psalms 144:12
1 Timothy 3:2-5
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach—not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” – 1 Timothy 3:2-5
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the importance of protecting and caring for children, we realize it is not just a responsibility but a calling. Every child deserves love, safety, and guidance, which we are asked to offer as stewards of God’s creation. Our actions matter, and by nurturing children and safeguarding their innocence, we fulfill God’s will in our lives. Let us embrace the principles we have learned from Scripture to stand against any form of harm toward children. It is through love and care that we reflect God’s heart, and we must be diligent in protecting the most precious among us.
Let this be our prayer and commitment as we walk forward – to raise our voices for the voiceless and to create a world where children can flourish in safety and love. If you are interested in exploring related topics, I encourage you to read about fostering and also about foster care and adoption. Together, we can learn how to better serve our communities and protect our children.