I’ve always believed that there is a duality about children.
On the one hand they have the quality of child-likeness, which Jesus Himself said was “of the kingdom of heaven.” This must be lovingly tended and nurtured.
On the other hand they have the quality of childishness; a rebellious, selfish quality which is an expression of the child’s fallen nature that he inherited from his parents, a nature that must be combated and conquered by any loving parent, lest left undealt with, it cost the child his chance at any decent earthly life, or even his eternal soul.
By the way, I’m the father of nine - three of whom are decent, independent, upstanding, responsible adults, and six more who will someday also be that, I trust.
Yes, and if we were God (or see things as He does) then we would only want one thing to be done to our flesh/sinful nature/old man, which is to crucify it in heart and deed. Which i need to be better doing.