Science has a law called entropy, which states that, over time, things tend toward decay, disarray, and confusion. The same is true spiritually.

This is why the apostle Paul wrote, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

And it’s also why Moses repeats God’s law to the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy. He was speaking to a new generation, because the old generation had disobeyed God and died in the wilderness.

One of the key verses is, “Beware, lest you forget” (Deuteronomy 6:12). The previous generation had forgotten what God had done for them and fell into sin. Moses was calling the new generation to love the Lord their God.

This isn’t simply about keeping rules and regulations; when love for God fills the heart, obedience naturally follows.

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9). This is one of the great themes of the book of Deuteronomy. Through Moses, God was saying: “Do not forget what I have done or what I have said. I want you to obey My words and teach your children to obey them too.”

“And these words which I command you shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

This still applies to us today. Your children watch what you do and listen to what you say. Are you modeling the kind of behavior that will encourage them to live godly lives?

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Encourage godliness in your children at all times—by the way you live, by what you believe, and by the values you hold. Your example will either draw your children toward godliness or drive them away from it.

What are you setting before your eyes? What do you read and look at? Make sure you spend as much time in Scripture as you do on those things—if not more.

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord” (Deuteronomy 10:12). The “fear of the Lord” doesn't mean that you cringe before God, thinking He’s going to zap you. That's not the relationship God wants with you. The fear of the Lord means to have reverence and respect for Him.

It’s a reverential awe which produces humble submission to a loving God. The only fear involved is that you love and respect Him so much you never want to do anything to grieve Him.

“Beware, lest you forget” (Deuteronomy 6:12). Paul gave the remedy: “Preach the word!” (2 Timothy 4:2). That's how we keep ourselves from forgetting.

Immerse yourself in the truth of God’s Word—lest you forget, and so that your children never do.