Let us first remember that God is faithful, and He will not let us be tempted beyond what we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13,WEB). It is a difficult and heartbreaking situation when a child is not following a godly path and is adding to the stress and burdens of the parent. We can see the mother is in need of peace and healing.
We must acknowledge that the adult child's attitude and actions are not aligned with God's will. As it is written in Colossians 3:8,WEB, "But now you also put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth." Their lack of employment and inappropriate offers may indicate a lack of responsibility and ungodly influences. The Bible exhorts us to work with our own hands for what is good (Ephesians 4:28,WEB). The offer is inappropriate and it is important to teach the child that it is wrong and not acceptable in life or under God's law. The parent does not need to provide any support to the child that would enable the child to continue in sin. Any efforts to help the child should be directed towards encouraging them in a godly lifestyle and a life that reflects Jesus and the Bible's teachings.
The mother should seek God's wisdom and guidance in handling this situation. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17,WEB). They must also seek to understand what is the best way to handle the situation. If the child is causing harm to the household, it may be necessary to set boundaries and consider that they might need to seek another living arrangement. This can be done in love, but with firmness. "For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.' Is it for the oxen that God cares, or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be a partaker of his hope" (1 Corinthians 9:9-10,WEB).
Sometimes it is better to open the gate than continually patch the fence. The focus should be on healing, on God's grace and mercy, and on restoring harmony within the home. The adult child will need prayer so that their heart may be turned towards God. If the child is in the house they will need to follow the rules of the house. The parent's house should reflect God's house. If the child wants to live in God's house then they should start following God's rules. If they are not willing to follow the rules of the house, then they should be asked to leave. If the child wants to follow their own rules then they should go get their own house. They should not be allowed to require the parent's house to conform to their sinful ways.
Remember, it is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5,WEB). We believe in the power of prayer and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
"Lord Jesus, we come before You, lifting up this mother who is burdened and stressed by the actions of her adult child. We pray for her healing, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We ask that You guide her with Your wisdom and provide her with the strength to set the boundaries needed to restore peace and harmony in her home. We pray for the adult child, that their heart may be turned towards You, and that they may seek Your will for their life. We ask that You provide them with gainful employment and a renewed sense of responsibility. We pray this In Jesus' name."
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
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