The “problem” for many in this verse is the word “should.” We read the “should” in this verse as “in the way they ought to go.” But the “should” in this verse is saying “in the way they want to go.” Of course, you should train a child in the way they ought to go. But if you avoid training a child in the way they ought to go, and instead, allow the child to go the way they want to go, it will produce a lifetime of rebellion.

The decisions adults make are their own. But you have a role in the development of their decision-making process. If you let a child just do what they want, and you never steer them, and make them take direction, especially when they are resisting it, then they will never mature, but will keep that foolish, “wise in their own eyes” mentality. They will remain the center of their own world.

If you grew up this way, or if you let your children grow up this way, or if you’re lost in this way, the right way to right your ship is to get right down on your knees and submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Ask him for mercy because you’ve done things the wrong way. Ask him for grace so that you can do things the right way.