Free Satan, You Can't Have My Children: The Spiritual Warfare Guide for Every Parent by Iris Delgado

his congregation. He had no quality time for his children. My father was a troubled man who was driven by evil spirits to abuse his family. My mother was very busy rearing nine children, and she was unable to stop to show much affection to any one of us in particular. Her free moments were dedicated to the church and prayer.
    I am painting a picture that represents many families in America—always too busy or always too involved with the busyness of life, but never enough time for the things that count the most.
    My husband and I were destined to continue passing on to our children the same lifestyle and patterns of behavior that we had experienced in our original families. In addition, the same attitudes, habits, and beliefs passed on to us could easily be passed on to our children. I call this living under the curse of ignorance.
    But, praise God, we received knowledge while our children were still young. Today we are reaping the fruit of love, kindness, joy, and peace. We have a loving relationship with our children and grandchildren. It is a natural thing for my husband and me to hug, kiss, embrace, and say, “I love you,” to each one of our daughters and grandchildren. It was not easy at first. We had to practice and practice. Like practicing piano lessons, the more we practice, the better it gets.
    The same is true in our relationship with our heavenly Father. The more we practice entering into God’s presence and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, the more intimate and familiar we become with Him. It becomes a relationship instead of a mere acquaintance. Learn to say, “Father, saturate my family with Your love. Cause Your love to permeate their beings and transform their lives.”
    P ASSING J UDGMENT

    We must be very careful not to pass judgment upon our children. God is the judge. Our flesh wants to predict and to dictate the verdict. We must be moved by faith in God’s Word and not by our feelings and emotions.
    Parents must learn to do as many things as they possibly can to encourage their children into becoming what God intended them to become. This includes:
• Loving them unconditionally

• Praying and interceding on their behalf

• Engaging in spiritual warfare against demonic forces coming against them

• Being a reflection of God’s mercy and compassion

• Creating a peaceful environment at home

• Being a peacemaker

• Treating your children with as much respect as you would give to a guest

• Administering reasonable punishment as required

• Keeping your word and promises

• Apologizing when you have wronged them

• Controlling your temper and temper tantrums

• Never screaming or yelling

• Not doing or saying anything that you do not want your children to imitate

    Learn to separate the sin from the child without condoning the sin. Always allow God’s love to flow through you. There is sufficient cause for a child to continue in disobedience when parents continue to tell him that he is not good enough, he will never amount to anything, or he will never make it.
    Reinforcing negative behavior only leads to more rebellion.
    Remember that children are just that—they are children, not small adults. For example, if they accidentally spill a glass of milk, try to treat them in the same way that you would treat a visitor who spilled a glass of water. Your self-control can create incredible benefits for you and your family. It is worth the effort to thoughtfully teach and lovingly correct your children.
    It is up to parents to control their own tempers, emotions, minds, and behavior. Parents must repent before God for their out-of-control emotions and behavior. It is important to ask the forgiveness of children who are still at home or children who are away from home who have endured out-of-control emotions or behaviors of the parents.
    It is important for children to know that their parents are taking a stand in order to please the Lord in all things. Children need to know that