Author and Desiring God founder John Piper recently addressed the issue of gender identity and offered advice to parents of transgender children.
“Convey your love, the love that is willing and ready to go anywhere and do anything, even sacrifice your own life, for the lives of your children,” Piper said on a recent podcast. I encouraged him. episode Just ask Pastor John.
The episode, titled “Is It My Fault My Child Is Transgender?” asks, “One of the great fears parents face is that our own sins may corrupt our children. It begins with the words, “The fear of not being able to do something.”
Additionally, an anonymous father wrote a brief description of the family on the podcast. He revealed that he and his wife have four sons, two of whom “suffer from so-called ‘gender dysphoria’.”
“We have spoken to our pastors and asked for prayers, but we are feeling so overwhelmed and so alone and helpless during this season,” the father wrote. “What should we do to combat the despair we face every day as failed parents? How did we fail them? Please help, Pastor John. We are so torn and heartbroken. I am.”
In response, Piper outlined 10 tips that parents can apply regarding this issue. For example, he urged his parents, “Don’t assume that you are at fault.”
“We cannot draw a straight line from our own parenting to the guilt and justice of our children,” Piper said. Ezekiel 18:1-32.
according to church leadersHe encouraged parents not only to “grieve with hope,” but to “look to God, who makes the impossible possible.” The theologian also encouraged them to “love their children on God’s terms” and be prepared to “sacrifice their lives for what is right, for what God calls truth.”
Piper also shared the principles of “telling your kids the truth” and “telling them love,” while also making it clear that that doesn’t mean nagging or harassment of any kind. Instead, he emphasized the importance of patience and communication.
Parents were also encouraged to “pray without ceasing” as a sign of trusting God even when they don’t understand. Piper also said that God helps parents “figure out how often to address issues,” whether there is a cutoff in communication with their child or some kind of gap between them. He claimed to be capable.
He also emphasized the need to “communicate the core gospel in an easy-to-understand manner” without nagging or encouraging children to go home physically or spiritually.
“Continue your normal life with unyielding joy despite your heartbreak and deny Satan’s victory in paralyzing you in the path of righteousness,” Piper added.
“Therefore, let us pray for one another, and may the Lord bring about a day when there will be a tidal wave of grace that will sweep thousands of precious prodigals into the arms of their parents and the Lord Jesus.” he concluded.
Image credit: John Piper Facebook
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributor to Christian Headlines and host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sound doctrine and Biblical truth. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.
