Sometimes young couples express uncertainty about bringing children into such an evil world. When we consider the flood of immoral entertainment, websites, and messages stalking our youth today, it is no wonder that parents have doubts and fears about rearing children in our society. So how do we raise G-rated kids in an X-rated world?

Practice Prevention

When it comes to evil, the Bible gives us this instruction:

• Avoid it! (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

• Flee from it! (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22)

• Hate it! (Romans 12:9)

What is the best way to avoid immoral habits? Don’t allow those habits to ever get started. What is the best way to keep a child’s heart pure? Shield him from as much of the world’s filth as possible. If we think our children will benefit from exposure to the “real world” of evil, we must remember that our children will be exposed to plenty of evil messages and influences despite our best efforts. Why open a child’s life unnecessarily to further opportunities for evil habits and addictions?

Prevention Suggestions:

• Monitor the television. Do not make it the usual practice in the home for the television to be left on; make it the usual practice for the television to be turned off. Be very selective about what programs are watched because frankly there is not much worth watching. Parents are wise to select DVDs and television options that are preapproved.

• Think carefully about placement and time allowance for computers and televisions in the home. It is a good practice to have the television and computer in the common family rooms where programs and websites can be monitored. Of course this is very challenging now that we have access to the Internet on devices that fit in our pockets and go with us everywhere. Families may need to set certain times to “unplug” or “turn in” electronic devices.

• Have defined standards for children when it comes to movie watching. Some families make it simple and say nothing can be viewed below a certain rating. The problem is that ratings are often deceptive, so parents have to do more investigating through movie review websites that give detailed information about sexual content, violence, and bad language.

• Utilize “family filters” on computers, but don’t rely on these filters alone to guide the family’s Internet usage. If we allow our children to use social media networks on the Internet, we must train them about the dangers and check to make sure they are responsible in their use.

• If our children have cell phones, we should set limits and monitor our children’s cellphone use. Privileges should be earned by mature use. Be very cautious about turning children loose with smart phones. A young person should prove to be trustworthy and self-disciplined to earn this privilege.

• Screen carefully for violence and evil messages the video games children play. Do not allow children to waste too much time with these games. It is better to allow games as a reward after chores and schoolwork are completed.

• Guide children in the type of music they hear. Children can be gradually influenced by catchy tunes with immoral lyrics.

Prepare the Heart

Preventive measures alone are not enough. Man-made filters are helpful but are not foolproof and should not take the place of a good conscience. A strong conscience is built on a knowledge of God’s Word which makes us wise for salvation, trains us in righteousness, and thoroughly equips us (2 Timothy 3:15-17). This step of preparation is essential because we cannot intercept every temptation that will be introduced into our children’s lives. What will protect our children when we are not present? A heart trained to treasure God’s approval, a heart that is sensitive to the deceptive messages of Satan.

We are to be diligent in training our children’s hearts to treasure the things above, not things on the earth (Colossians 3:2). We also must help our children anticipate situations that lead to temptation and purpose in their hearts before that temptation how they will respond (Daniel 1:8).

Have a Parenting Plan

Have we thought much about our spiritual goals for our children? Matters such as giving one’s life to Christ, growing in spiritual leadership, selecting a Christian mate? We need to talk to our children about these goals and pray with our children about these goals. We then need to follow up daily with a parenting plan to achieve these goals.

Good parenting takes work. Do not let the world dictate our children’s agenda for the day. For example, some children will have days that are determined by the television schedule, video games, movies, Facebook time, or cell phone messaging. If parents don’t plan positive activities and opportunities for their children, the world will be glad to indoctrinate them with its own message.

There is nothing better for our children than to be immersed in the Word of God (Psalms 119:9). The first line of Bible training is in the home. Beyond that, look for every opportunity: Sunday school, Wednesday Bible class, VBS, Bible Bowl, Bible camp.

We must also be aware of our children’s friends. We can train our children to choose friends wisely. We should monitor our children’s activities with friends to make sure our children are being encouraged in positive spiritual directions when visiting with friends in their homes (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Parents know that the challenges of child rearing are great, but the rewards of rearing godly children are eternal. Young couples should be encouraged to be strong and courageous and trust God to help them rear their children. We need youth who will have an impact for Christ in this world.

By Tim Frizzell

This article appeared in the June 2013 issue of Think magazine. To subscribe, or for more info, click on the tab above.