A Child Left to Himself

Children are not meant to be left alone to do whatsoever they want to do. They are meant to be looked after, guided, and corrected in love. God places children under the care of parents so they may be taught what is right, protected from harm, and shaped in wisdom and understanding.

Leaving your child or children to do whatsoever they want is not a good thing because children are still learning discernment, self-control, and responsibility. They do not yet have the wisdom or experience to consistently make choices that protect their well-being or reflect good character. Without guidance, freedom becomes destructive.

God’s Design for Parental Guidance

Scripture makes it clear that children require direction, correction, and instruction. God did not design children to govern themselves, but to be formed under loving authority. Parents are entrusted with the responsibility to train, not abandon; to lead, not withdraw.

This is why Scripture warns in Proverbs 29:15,
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”

Likewise, Proverbs 22:15 reminds us,
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”

Foolishness is not learned; it is bound within. Wisdom, however, must be taught. When correction and instruction are withheld, foolishness is given room to grow. What begins as freedom slowly becomes disorder, and the consequences do not remain hidden.

The Consequences of a Child Left to Himself

The shame spoken of in Scripture comes when foolishness is allowed to mature without restraint. When a child is left to himself, he becomes his own authority. To leave them alone at this stage is to allow harmful habits and poor decision-making to take root, patterns that become harder to correct later. Without correction, there is nothing to check impulses, nothing to teach wisdom, and nothing to establish limits. Untrained behavior is then displayed openly, through disrespect, rebellion, lack of self-control, or public outbursts.

A child who screams, throws a tantrum, or rolls on the floor when told “no” is displaying difficulty with limits and emotional regulation. Such reactions often develop when boundaries, correction, and instruction have not been consistently reinforced.

Without regular guidance, children struggle to understand authority, manage disappointment, and practice self-restraint. When limits are eventually set, the emotional response can be intense and overwhelming. What happens privately in the home eventually shows publicly. Others may not know the full story, but they will see the fruit.

A Call to Parental Responsibility

Scripture emphasizes this warning not to condemn parents, but to call them to responsibility. Correction and reproof are meant to protect both the child and the family’s honor. When discipline is applied early and consistently, it produces wisdom. When it is withheld, shame becomes the outcome.

Let's Get You The Support You Need

BACK

Discover Tools for Faith-Filled Parenting

Practical, Christ-centered resources to help parents guide their children with wisdom, love, and faith.