Truth

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

Now more than ever children are being influenced and harmed by immoral indoctrination through various television programs, the internet, movies, social media, absurd school curriculum, and other influences. You must be forceful, diligent and persistent in screening and approving not only what enters into your child’s soul through their eye and ear gates, but also the amount of time spent watching TV, on social media, their tablets, phones, gaming, etc.

Know at all times what your child is watching, listening to and doing.

Whether people believe it or not, there is an agenda to tear down the fabric of Christian moral thought. Protect your child from it! Screen movies and programs through Christian reviews such as the Focus on the Family site - https://www.pluggedin.com. Watch things yourself before letting your child watch them or read them. And certainly be careful from whom or what you get your advice and recommendations.

For sure it is easier to just slap a screen in front of your child as a babysitter.

But this can hurt their development cognitively, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

You must be disciplined as a parent and structured in your approach to dealing with the modern tools of society, which are being used ever too frequently and carelessly in modern society. Get educated as to what is beneficial for your child to watch, to play with, to listen to and ingest into their sensitive souls and spirits. For sure use apps for protection from browsing and spending too much time on their pads, phones, and computers. Do not forget you have every right to know what your child is doing. You are the loving, wise and caring authority God has placed in your child’s life to protect and guide them.

Outdoor play, acceptable music, reading, playing games, drawing, physical exercise such as swimming, bicycling and sports, are some healthy alternatives to the tube and screen time. Check out this link for more helpful alternatives. https://kidsbaron.com/blog/alternatives-to-screen-time-for-your-kids

When it comes to sports and other activities, such as dance and pageantry, you must be cautious.

Remember all authority figures will have an influence on your child. We hear too many horror stories regarding coaches, scout leaders, and other authority figures, and their improper interaction with children. You must be wise, involved and protective of your child and know who will be influencing them. Do not let the pressure to conform to this world’s patterns or fear to confront cause you to lower your standards as a godly parent.

Pastorally we have found that when an activity interferes with church it can have a detrimental impact upon a child’s spirituality and the spiritual health of a family. We never want to give our children the message that God is second to anything. Some parents think their child will become a superstar by committing them to all kinds of sports and activities. Very few do. Fewer than 2 percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professional athletes. Ambitions and dreams must be passed by the principles of God’s Word, His commandments and much prayer. Worldly success can come with great consequences.

Be careful how and what you choose is best for your child.

Missing church services, youth group, and involvement in serving in ministry often becomes the norm for those too involved in secular activities. The children get the idea that God is second to what’s most important, i.e., being on a sports team, competing in pageants, etc.

This is hard advice for some people to swallow. The teachings of Christ are hard. I am not saying sports, pageants, extra-curricular activities, etc., are inherently evil. But you must be careful to not allow the false gods and the idols of this world to take the place of Christ being the center of your home. I have never seen families that put extra- curricular activities above the Lord and His Church thrive spiritually.

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Moms, be careful putting your little girls in secular dance and pageants.

Modesty does not seem to be much of a concern these days. Dressing little girls up to look like adults dancing to sensual music is not what your child needs. Also, an overly focused attention on external looks, beauty, self, can lead down a road that leads to great insecurity and self focus. It can also be demeaning and demoralizing. Look for Christian alternatives. Keep your children innocent as long as you can.

Story

Jimmy (fictitious name) loved youth group and attending church. He was also a natural born athlete. As time went on, sports tournaments began to take up most of his time. It also started taking up the time of the parents. Great family, great kids, but wrong priorities.

To make a long story short, coaches became the replacement for youth leaders and pastors; positive Christian peer pressure was taken over by ungodly relationships and worldly role models; the desire for success and scholarships replaced the desire to accomplish the will of God. Not only did the children of this family lose their spiritual way, but the parents did as well and divorce ensued. One of the many sad but true stories of the importance of priorities and making decisions centered around Christ.

Interesting

https://www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/liddell/

“Eric Liddell achieved fame as an Olympic athlete whose life is chronicled in the 1981 film, Chariots of Fire. Liddell’s spiritual convictions had a significant impact on his athletic career. As a member of the British Olympic Team for the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, he refused to run in the qualifying heats because they were held on a Sunday, with the consequence that he was forced to withdraw from his best event, the 100 metres race. He went on to win bronze and gold medals in the 200 and 400 metres events respectively, setting a world record for the 400 metres and causing sensational news headlines. In 1925, at the peak of his athletic career, Liddell chose to join the London Missionary Society and went to serve in Northern China.”

BOTTOM LINE:

Know what your child is watching and doing at all times.
Be careful how you set the priorities in your household.
Always build your child’s life around their spirituality.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, help me to not conform to this world’s patterns and standards. Help me to be attentive, wise and discerning as to what is allowed into my child(ren’s) soul and spirit. Help me to be a strong parent willing to make the tough decisions that are best for the emotional and spiritual development of my child(ren). In Jesus Name I pray! Amen

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