I had the opportunity to help start a program called *Child L*ur*es* years ago in our town, when I was very active in a non-profit organization. I was the new upcoming president and went to a conference where I heard Kenneth Wooden speak. Mr Wooden is the founder of the Child Lures school program. He showed how easy it was for a *stormy weather* person to lure a child...trick them either into going with them, or trick them into a dangerous situation. But he went on to say, a child can not be tricked or lured, if they know the trick. It was very eye opening to me all those years ago. Did you know that p*edo*philes even have newsletters and conventions to help teach them these things. I was disgusted to say the least...and knew I needed to help somehow. It was also very sad, that young children needed to be taught this information, because for the most part, there are innocent to all of the evil in the world, but for their own safety, they need to know this info just in case. I came home with the school program in hand ready to get it started in the schools. As a former public school teacher, I knew this would be helpful, even to encourage those children being mistreated to seek help. It covers all the lures child m*oles*tors may use to trick children as well as what to do of it happens or is attempted to happen. It helps children know what to do if it is a family member, friend, or stranger. I had young daughters at the time and this all seemed very necessary!

So, we began, with the parent's permission, teaching this to all public school 3rd graders...then we began teaching it to a local private school as well. I taught for quite a few years, and then passed the torch on to others who had the same heart to help children. I hope it has saved some children's lives...we will probably never know.

As I have been pondering these thoughts on discernment, I have realized that our children are being tricked in this world to sin...they are fed a lie and lured into sinful behavior all the time...we all are. We must know the tricks and the One who can protect and instruct us to not fall prey. Just as we teach our children how to be safe, we must teach them to protect and guard their hearts. How do we withstand the tricks and lures from the crafty schemes of the devil? We must know God's Word as an offensive to thwart off the temptation and we must have the obedience to Christ as Lord to have the power to say no. Our desires must be to delight in walking in the ways of the Lord. How do we teach this desire to our children? It must come from them seeing us delight in the Lord and delighting in His Word...they must see the power of God's Word and how it does get us through.

Here is a short excerpt from my book: *Lord Bless My Child*

We all need discernment, that ability to weigh all the facts and then choose the right thing, the decision that would lead to God's best for us and for other people. Discernment is more than just knowledge, even more than wisdom. The story of King Solomon shows a man to whom God gave great gifts of wisdom, yet Solomon chose to override his discernment with his own selfish desires. (1 Kings 11:6) Solomon compromised by accommodating his wives and their idol worship, which led him away from God.

Discernment involves listening between the lines, seeing the real agenda, and responding in a balanced way. Discernment is response not reaction. Discernment means not making snap judgments. It is considering what is going on inside of us. Discernment means asking our Father for supernatural wisdom in a matter, then responding, regardless of pressure to do otherwise.

Some things for us, as parents, to do:

1) Pray for God's wisdom
2) Pray for God's wisdom in our children
3) Allow our children to think through some decisions for themselves and train them as the understand the Truth of God's Word.
4) Always be presenting the gospel of Christ to them and showing them the only true way to knowing how to live.
5) Teaching them discernment by showing them the tricks of sinfulness and the lures of it, so they won't be tricked!

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.

O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation with visible things. The world has been too much with me. You have been here, and I knew it not. I have been blind to Your presence. Open my eyes that I may behold You in and around me. For Christ's sake, Amen. A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God