Choose Godly Influences

I was reminded yesterday how important it is for parents to be ever vigilant concerning what their kids are exposed to.  It is very easy for us to lower our guard.  We might think because of homeschooling, sending kids to a Christian school, or going to church is enough.  Nope!  If you own a TV, a computer connected to the internet, if your kids have mobile phones or Ipods, if your car has windows which allows a child to see out as you drive, if your kids have family, friends, or acquaintances, if you take them to the shops to buy food or clothes, if they read books, magazines, or listen to music, the potential for ungodly influences on your child is a real threat.  The world works tirelessly to indoctrinate our children to accept evil as good.

We send our children to a Christian private school.  One of my sons was selected out of his class and he received an invitation to participate in an extra-curricular course geared to inspire bright kids to be authors, actors, and artists by a professional tutor.  Our son was keen to go, so we decided it would be a great reward for the hard work he has been putting in.  After paying the fees, we received a syllabus for the weekend classes.  It was immediately apparent that this class was unsuitable for our son because of the pagan and New Age practices they would be exposed to.  Now I'm not an "artsy" person.  Maybe I don't understand everything that goes into being an actor or artist.  But I don't even need to read between the lines to recognise what this class would be promoting is contrary to God's Word.

The introduction explained how the class would "tune their creative instruments" and by "...using exercises and games from all over the world we will energize and focus in on our journey over the weekend."  They would learn a vocal "warm up" to use their voices for their advantage, plus a "physical warm up that will awaken the senses and limbs to the creative flow that we will be developing..."  Then it went even further:  the children would be taught about the Ogham alphabet for the purpose of discovering their "own personal ogham poem."  "We will then explore our oghams, finding which sounds, words, physical actions, images and ideas resonate most within us."  I thought this class was about being an author, actor, and an artist - not an introduction for my son to practice divination through pagan customs and New Age techniques.  Needless to say, after my wife rang the class there is now an opening in a fully-booked course of classes.  So sought after are these courses that we could not transfer our son to an alternate class.  (Our fee was kindly refunded, if you're wondering!)  The school had no idea this class involved these activities, and I wonder if the same could be said of other parents.

Because he will be disappointed, I feel sorry for my son.  On the other hand, I am not sorry at all.  As good as the course sounded at first, it became clear that it stood in complete contrast to the biblical values we desire to uphold in our family.  Had my wife not carefully read the paperwork, we would have sent our son without a thought.  It just showed me again how important it is to know what is being taught at school, what your kids are reading, what music they listen to, what games they play, and who they spend time with.  I am not suggesting that a bubble be created around your children, but embrace teaching moments when you can explain why a class or a movie is not beneficial according to God's righteous standard.  Take time to dialogue with your children, not just "lay down the law."  Once my sons leave my care, I want their lives to be grounded on biblical truth and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  That will only happen if we are responsible to lay a good foundation by bringing our lives into subjection to God's Word.

We can choose to go the world's way, or God's way.  Maybe my son will someday be an incredible actor or artist.  That would be great!  I believe he can be an amazing actor or artist and still honour God with his life.  As Christians, Christ comes first.  Being a Christian may eliminate some acting opportunities, but what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?  Some people are willing to do anything for fame and earthly glory.  My job as a parent is to affirm God's truth, protect my kids from evil influences, and train my children to embrace God's way.  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."