We want our children to always choose what is right and just. Everything depends on the heart's attitude. If they "choose" to obey, but do so out of obligation rather than from the heart, it's as if they haven't obeyed at all. Often, as parents, we only look at actions, but this won't help our children change. They need a change of heart. Therefore, it's very important to teach them that we only have two paths. One path leads to eternal life and the other to eternal death. (When my children were younger, I had a felt board that illustrated this very well). Throughout the day, every small decision they make is a step forward onto one of these two paths.

Let's help our children see the condition of their hearts and recognize the need for a new heart that only Jesus can give. Let's teach them to have new thoughts, new feelings, and then new actions. How can we do this practically?

A thought-provoking story by missionary Eric B. Hare to teach and help our children choose to do what is right. Of course, each parent needs to adapt the language/age for their child. It can be told to very young children, teenagers, or even adults. Even an 80-year-old man testified that after hearing this illustration, he received the clarity he needed for his Christian walk.

In fact, this illustration is a concept to be taught and repeated many times. You can prepare faces of 1 king and his 3 judges on cardboard or felt, with each one's name inscribed (as in the photo).

King Will needed to make important decisions. His word was always final. However, before King Will made any decision, he consulted his three judges, who were:

1. Judge Voice of Reason

2. Judge Voice of Conscience

3. Judge Desire of the Heart

Each judge had a question for King Will.

Judge Voice of Reason would ask: Is this good?

Judge Voice of Conscience would ask: Is this right?

Judge Desire of the Heart would ask: Is this what I want?

So King Will would listen to his three judges and only then make his decision.

Judge Voice of Reason will always judge whether something is good or bad. He always wants to do what is right.

Judge Voice of Conscience also always wants to choose what is right.

Judge Desire of the Heart sometimes wants to do what is right. Sometimes he isn't sure he wants to do what is right, and sometimes he doesn't want to do what is right.

When the three judges agree, then King Will obeys.

When Judge Desire of the Heart is the problematic one in the story. Sometimes he isn't sure if he agrees with Judge Voice of Reason and Judge Conscience, and then King Will also isn't sure.

When Judge Desire of the Heart doesn't agree with Judge Voice of Reason and Judge Conscience, then King Will cannot make the decision.

In practice, EXAMPLE 1: Someone wants you to smoke.

The judge Voice of Reason asks: Is this good or bad? (Bad)

The judge Voice of Conscience asks: Is this right or wrong? (Wrong)

The judge Heart's Desire asks: Is this what I want? (No)

So King Will decides NOT TO SMOKE

In practice, EXAMPLE 2: Mom or Dad calls me.

The judge Voice of Reason asks: Mom is calling, is it good or bad to obey Mom's call? (Good)

The judge Voice of Conscience asks: Mom is calling, is it right or wrong to obey Mom's call? (Right)

The judge Heart's Desire asks: Is this what I want? Do I want to obey? (Yes)

So King Will decides TO OBEY

In practice, EXAMPLE 3: Mom wants me to make my bed.

The judge Voice of Reason asks: Is making my bed good or bad? (Good)

The judge Voice of Conscience asks: Is making my bed right or wrong? (Right)

The judge Heart's Desire asks: Is this what I want? Perhaps on this day the judge Heart's Desire says: I think I don't want to make my bed today.

So King Will decides that he also thinks he doesn't want to.

The judge Heart's Desire thinks he knows more than the other two judges. He has what we call the "I" problem. There's someone else in the Bible who had the "I" problem. Do you know who? Satan!

"How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! You who were cast down to the earth, who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, on the farthest sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the pit." Isaiah 14:12-15.

Due to the "I" problem, Lucifer had to leave heaven. Therefore, we must deal with this "I" problem that the judge Heart's Desire has, so that we can be in heaven with Jesus. If we don't resolve it, King Will will also be in trouble.

What to do when Heart's Desire doesn't want to obey? I should go to the Lord and say: Lord, my heart wants to choose what is wrong. Please, take it! Give me Your heart. Help me to hear the Voice of Reason and the Voice of Conscience. Claim the promise: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. The Lord will give Heart's Desire the necessary strength, and I will be able to Decide what is Right. Yes, I will make my bed.

God gave us the freedom to make decisions. The power of decision, of choosing our will, is a gift from God, and according to the decisions we make, we take a step towards eternal life or eternal death.

Friends, these teachings require preparation, prayer, planning, and time. I know that in this group there are parents who are willing to make any sacrifice to see their children in the kingdom of heaven. I am willing! Let's continue this battle against the "I" and, while helping ourselves with the strength that only Jesus can give, let's also help our children on this journey towards heaven.

If they learn these concepts when they're young, it will be much easier for them when they're older and adults.

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Angélica Gomide

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