Do you leave your doors unlocked? Most of us wouldn’t dream of it. My husband won’t even leave his car doors unlocked because he has our garage door opener on the sun visor. He figures someone could grab it and STILL get into a locked house! We’re super careful to protect our stuff from outside intruders, but do we protect our most prized possessions: our children’s hearts?
Protecting our children from the immorality of the media, the frivolity of the world and the evil of the devil can be a fine line. We don’t want to shelter our kids and live in fear. We sometimes forget that “greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world“! So, how can we protect our kids from being exposed to the sin of the world?
I think it’s pretty easy.
Just take a look around your house.
What movies are sitting next to the Veggie Tales on your media cabinet?
Which artists are next to Seeds Family Worship on your iPod?
Which magazines boast ways to seduce a man, the latest bikini or the newest celebrity hook-up?
Which shows are recorded on your TIVO? Right below Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?
A few years ago, a new TV show came out about a serial killer. And although it sounded creepy, my husband and I rented the DVDs and started watching them. And we totally liked it! But every once in awhile we’d get this guilty thing in our heads and hearts. We’d say, “Ew. I hope Lydia doesn’t get out of bed and walk in here right now.”
When the new season came out my husband said, “So, you want to rent it?”. Behind his voice I could hear “i-will-if-you-will”. I hemmed and hawed and then finally said, “No. We shouldn’t.” And honestly? It pained me for a second. I wanted to watch it! I had gotten attached to the characters. It was a really good show.
But it wasn’t really good for us. For our hearts. For our family. Or even for the spiritual climate of our house.
Likewise, I don’t have a lot of self-control when it comes to sweets. If I bought oreos and chocolate chip cookies every time I was at the grocery store, I’d be as big as a house. So, I just don’t buy them. For some reason, I have self-control at the grocery store. I have to do the same thing with my entertainment choices. It’s easy to not rent the movie or not subscribe to the magazine. It’s much harder to ignore it when it’s sitting right next to me or recorded on my Tivo.
Paul warns the Ephesian church to not give the devil a foothold. I heard somewhere that “foothold” could be likened to the how a rock-climber uses his toes to climb up the side of a mountain. It doesn’t take much for the devil to stay latched on.
In order to protect my children, I must not let anything become a toe-hold for the enemy. If that means I don’t watch the latest movie about people having an affair, or watch a show that causes me to think about murder in a good light, or be up to date on the newest keep-your-boyfriend-breathless tips, then it’s worth it.
I’m not suggesting you remove all forms of media. Or take a vow of boredom. I’m just encouraging you to look around. Would you want your son or daughter reading, watching, playing and doing the things you do? Are there things, people or activities you are allowing into your heart and mind that could be a potential foothold for the devil? If so, ask God to help you have the courage and self-control to get rid of them.
Impress your kids by being the example. Impress them by showing them how a Christian really has fun, what they can really enjoy and how God can really bless their socks off!
Some resources for you:
My Favorite Movie Review Sites {great list of sites that review movies and more for inappropriate content}
Safe Eyes {this is the internet protection we use}
Social Networking Safety resources from We Are THAT Family’s He Said/She Said series {mainly about online pornography)
photo source 1: domiketu
photo source 2: alexindigo
