“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.”
Titus 1:15-16 (NLT)
Often parents find it very difficult to talk with their children about the hard things of life. We sometimes can convince ourselves if we don’t talk about it, then they are protected from it. We must know our children’s friends and their bends in their school and social settings. This information may come from teachers or their social media. These discussions must always be age and developmentally appropriate; however, in our contemporary society those who want to impact our children provide them with information that is not age and developmentally appropriate. In other words, someone is talking to our children about inappropriate things and our children are left to process this information.
We must help them channel this overabundance of information in the right direction. Children are shaped by the information they must process, and much of what comes at them is “too heavy” for them. It is sad that child development specialists aren’t speaking out more on the excess of information that is being filtered through our children’s eyes and ears.
Children also find it hard to approach parents to ask questions or for understanding. Often denial on both sides avoids important conversations about important topics, which often results in a breakdown of the parent-child relationship from what God intended it to be. It is critical children receive the “Truth” as God has set forth for us in His Word. There is a high price to pay for incorrect processing of information and understanding of the same in any relationship, but especially between parent and child.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.“
John 10:10 (NLT)
Choosing God’s moral standards presents our children with the best opportunity for the best outcome. With parents’ help, children can separate “truth” from lies, and thus be equipped to make healthier decisions. Often what parents “think” their children are doing is not what children report they are doing in regards to the things that can harm them, i.e., drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, and communication (who and what). Having this conversation is a preventive measure that is often very effective. The alternative is they accept the values and morals of our culture which can be harmful. John 8:31-32 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
These are serious matters that require our priority and our time. They are not to be addressed while passing in the doorway or without the proper amount of time to process thoroughly.
