Stephen Olarewaju

2026-07-30 11:16:31 -

WHO BEARS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LAWLESS GENERATION?

A BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON GENERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, DISCIPLESHIP, AND THE WATCHMAN'S BURDEN

One question has weighed heavily on my heart:
"Who is responsible for the increasing lawlessness of this generation?"

Many are quick to blame young people. Others point to social media, politics, culture, or education. While these influences are real, Scripture compelled me to look deeper.

My conclusion was this:
"The failure of this generation largely rests in the hands of the older generation."

This statement is not an attempt to condemn one age group or excuse another. In fact, I count myself among the older generation. If there is blame to be carried, I must first examine my own life before pointing at anyone else.

This study became an honest search of the Scriptures.

THE FOUNDATION OF MY OBSERVATION

The first passage that arrested my attention was Titus 2:3–5.

Paul instructs the older women to teach the younger women. The passage assumes that spiritual maturity is not merely to be possessed but passed on.

Likewise, throughout Scripture, older men are expected to mentor younger men, parents are commanded to teach their children, and elders are charged with preserving truth.
If one generation refuses to teach, what becomes of the next?

That question led me to another.

HOW CAN PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TAUGHT?

Paul asked a similar question:

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)

Faith requires hearing, Hearing requires someone to proclaim the truth. If truth is never faithfully passed down, ignorance should not surprise us.

The prophet Hosea declared:

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6)
Knowledge neglected always produces consequences.

"MAKE The TREE GOOD..."

Jesus said, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt..." (Matthew 12:33)

Fruit does not suddenly appear.
The condition of the fruit reflects the condition of the tree. Likewise, the conduct of a generation often reflects how it was formed.

When children are nurtured in the fear of God, they are far more likely to bear the fruit of righteousness. When they are neglected spiritually, the fruit often reveals that neglect.

"TRAIN UP A CHILD"

Another passage became central to my meditation.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

The instruction is remarkably intentional.

Train him while he is still a child.
Train him while the heart is tender.
Train him before the world has shaped his affections.
Train him while there is still opportunity to establish deep spiritual roots.

When he becomes old and enters a hostile world, those roots become his strength.

Parents who neglect this sacred responsibility should not be surprised if later correction falls upon rocky ground.

THE WATCHMAN UPON The WALL

Then my thoughts turned to the ministry of the watchman.

God told Ezekiel: "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet... his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." (Ezekiel 33:6)

This passage reveals two truths.
If the watchman faithfully warns and the people refuse to listen, they bear responsibility for their own destruction. However, if the watchman remains silent, God holds the watchman accountable for failing to give the warning.

The hearer has responsibility, likewise the watchman also has responsibility.
Silence itself becomes guilt.

This principle extends beyond prophets.
Parents are watchmen over their homes.
Pastors are watchmen over their congregations.
Teachers are watchmen over their students.
Older believers are watchmen over younger believers.
Whenever God entrusts someone with truth, He also entrusts them with responsibility.

DOES SCRIPTURE AGREE THAT THE OLDER GENERATION BEARS GREATER RESPONSIBILITY?

Throughout Scripture, God consistently addresses leaders before followers.

When Israel wandered from Him, God rebuked:
- The priests.
- The prophets.
- The kings.
- The shepherds.
- The elders.

Malachi rebuked the priests.
Ezekiel rebuked the shepherds.
James warns that teachers receive stricter judgment.

This pattern reveals an important principle: Greater influence brings greater accountability.

The older generation cannot produce faith in another person's heart only God can do that.

Yet the older generation is responsible for faithfully planting, watering, warning, teaching, and modeling godliness.

BUT IS THE YOUNGER GENERATION RESPONSIBLE?

Yes.
Scripture never removes personal accountability.
EZEKIEL 18 teaches that every soul answers before God for its own response.
No one is condemned merely because of the failures of previous generations.
God still calls every individual to repentance.

This is why men such as Josiah, Daniel, and Timothy stand as remarkable examples.

They inherited difficult circumstances, yet they chose faithfulness. They prove that no generation is beyond hope.

THE BALANCE OF SCRIPTURE

After considering the whole counsel of God, I arrived at this conclusion.

THE OLDER GENERATION BEARS THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE GOD ENTRUSTED THEM WITH THE WORK OF DISCIPLESHIP.
THE YOUNGER GENERATION BEARS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS RESPONSE TO THE TRUTH IT RECEIVES.

These truths are not enemies.
They stand together.
One explains accountability, the other explains stewardship.

A SOBERING QUESTION

How many parents truly place the hearts of their children into the hands of God?

Many prepare children for examinations.
Many prepare them for careers.
Many prepare them for financial success.

Far fewer labor until Christ is formed in them.
The greatest inheritance a parent can leave is not wealth.
It is a heart trained to fear God.

MY FINAL CONVICTION

Therefore, I still believe this statement is biblically sound when properly understood:

"EVERY GENERATION IS ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE GOD, BUT THE OLDER GENERATION BEARS THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO MONITOR THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE NEXT GENERATION WHICH GOD ENTRUSTED THEM WITH IN THE MINISTRY OF TEACHING, WARNING, DISCIPLING, AND LIVING AS EXAMPLES."

If we neglect our children,
If we neglect discipleship,
If we fail to sound the trumpet,
If we refuse to model holiness,

Then we should not be surprised when lawlessness fills the land.

Revival begins when the older generation once again accepts its God-given assignment and not merely to criticize the young, but to raise them in the fear of the Lord.

The answer to a lawless generation is not louder condemnation.

It is faithful fathers.
Praying mothers.
Holy elders.
Courageous watchmen.
And a church that once again understands that every generation must intentionally hand the knowledge of God to the next.

May we be found faithful.

Yours in His Vineyard.
Stephen Olarewaju
His Battle axe.

WHO BEARS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LAWLESS GENERATION? A BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON GENERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, DISCIPLESHIP, AND THE WATCHMAN'S BURDEN One question has weighed heavily on my heart: "Who is responsible for the increasing lawlessness of this generation?" Many are quick to blame young people. Others point to social media, politics, culture, or education. While these influences are real, Scripture compelled me to look deeper. My conclusion was this: "The failure of this generation largely rests in the hands of the older generation." This statement is not an attempt to condemn one age group or excuse another. In fact, I count myself among the older generation. If there is blame to be carried, I must first examine my own life before pointing at anyone else. This study became an honest search of the Scriptures. THE FOUNDATION OF MY OBSERVATION The first passage that arrested my attention was Titus 2:3–5. Paul instructs the older women to teach the younger women. The passage assumes that spiritual maturity is not merely to be possessed but passed on. Likewise, throughout Scripture, older men are expected to mentor younger men, parents are commanded to teach their children, and elders are charged with preserving truth. If one generation refuses to teach, what becomes of the next? That question led me to another. HOW CAN PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TAUGHT? Paul asked a similar question: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14) Faith requires hearing, Hearing requires someone to proclaim the truth. If truth is never faithfully passed down, ignorance should not surprise us. The prophet Hosea declared: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) Knowledge neglected always produces consequences. "MAKE The TREE GOOD..." Jesus said, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt..." (Matthew 12:33) Fruit does not suddenly appear. The condition of the fruit reflects the condition of the tree. Likewise, the conduct of a generation often reflects how it was formed. When children are nurtured in the fear of God, they are far more likely to bear the fruit of righteousness. When they are neglected spiritually, the fruit often reveals that neglect. "TRAIN UP A CHILD" Another passage became central to my meditation. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) The instruction is remarkably intentional. Train him while he is still a child. Train him while the heart is tender. Train him before the world has shaped his affections. Train him while there is still opportunity to establish deep spiritual roots. When he becomes old and enters a hostile world, those roots become his strength. Parents who neglect this sacred responsibility should not be surprised if later correction falls upon rocky ground. THE WATCHMAN UPON The WALL Then my thoughts turned to the ministry of the watchman. God told Ezekiel: "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet... his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." (Ezekiel 33:6) This passage reveals two truths. If the watchman faithfully warns and the people refuse to listen, they bear responsibility for their own destruction. However, if the watchman remains silent, God holds the watchman accountable for failing to give the warning. The hearer has responsibility, likewise the watchman also has responsibility. Silence itself becomes guilt. This principle extends beyond prophets. Parents are watchmen over their homes. Pastors are watchmen over their congregations. Teachers are watchmen over their students. Older believers are watchmen over younger believers. Whenever God entrusts someone with truth, He also entrusts them with responsibility. DOES SCRIPTURE AGREE THAT THE OLDER GENERATION BEARS GREATER RESPONSIBILITY? Throughout Scripture, God consistently addresses leaders before followers. When Israel wandered from Him, God rebuked: - The priests. - The prophets. - The kings. - The shepherds. - The elders. Malachi rebuked the priests. Ezekiel rebuked the shepherds. James warns that teachers receive stricter judgment. This pattern reveals an important principle: Greater influence brings greater accountability. The older generation cannot produce faith in another person's heart only God can do that. Yet the older generation is responsible for faithfully planting, watering, warning, teaching, and modeling godliness. BUT IS THE YOUNGER GENERATION RESPONSIBLE? Yes. Scripture never removes personal accountability. EZEKIEL 18 teaches that every soul answers before God for its own response. No one is condemned merely because of the failures of previous generations. God still calls every individual to repentance. This is why men such as Josiah, Daniel, and Timothy stand as remarkable examples. They inherited difficult circumstances, yet they chose faithfulness. They prove that no generation is beyond hope. THE BALANCE OF SCRIPTURE After considering the whole counsel of God, I arrived at this conclusion. THE OLDER GENERATION BEARS THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE GOD ENTRUSTED THEM WITH THE WORK OF DISCIPLESHIP. THE YOUNGER GENERATION BEARS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS RESPONSE TO THE TRUTH IT RECEIVES. These truths are not enemies. They stand together. One explains accountability, the other explains stewardship. A SOBERING QUESTION How many parents truly place the hearts of their children into the hands of God? Many prepare children for examinations. Many prepare them for careers. Many prepare them for financial success. Far fewer labor until Christ is formed in them. The greatest inheritance a parent can leave is not wealth. It is a heart trained to fear God. MY FINAL CONVICTION Therefore, I still believe this statement is biblically sound when properly understood: "EVERY GENERATION IS ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE GOD, BUT THE OLDER GENERATION BEARS THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO MONITOR THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE NEXT GENERATION WHICH GOD ENTRUSTED THEM WITH IN THE MINISTRY OF TEACHING, WARNING, DISCIPLING, AND LIVING AS EXAMPLES." If we neglect our children, If we neglect discipleship, If we fail to sound the trumpet, If we refuse to model holiness, Then we should not be surprised when lawlessness fills the land. Revival begins when the older generation once again accepts its God-given assignment and not merely to criticize the young, but to raise them in the fear of the Lord. The answer to a lawless generation is not louder condemnation. It is faithful fathers. Praying mothers. Holy elders. Courageous watchmen. And a church that once again understands that every generation must intentionally hand the knowledge of God to the next. May we be found faithful. Yours in His Vineyard. Stephen Olarewaju His Battle axe.

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