My friend posted a question on Facebook yesterday about a cartoon that she was watching with her son. It was not something she normally watched, but one particular scene bothered her. She wondered if she was being overly sensitive to what was meant to be a simple child’s cartoon or if there was more to it than that. Overwhelmingly, the answers on Facebook seemed to agree that if she was bothered by the cartoon, then she should definitely turn it off!
This got me thinking about what are children are being exposed to in today’s society. When I was growing up, we were not allowed to watch “Looney Tunes” because it was rather violent. But what are our children seeing and hearing today that should concern us?
Remember that children’s song, “O Be Careful, Little Eyes”?
O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There’s a Father up above
And He’s looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
I have to say that I am finding there to be a lot of unlovely things in this world, and many people (Christian parents included) are allowing these things to sneak into their homes, exposing their children little by little to things that the world finds acceptable.
You may think I’m being uptight. After all, what’s the harm of a little cartoon? My children don’t often sit still long enough to watch an entire episode of any program. What difference does it make? Many people will even argue that the topics are over their children’s heads anyway. Should it matter?
I think it does matter! Satan is intent on chipping away at the Christian household one brick at a time. God has placed us to be the parents of these children – not to see how like the world we can become but how much like Jesus we can train them to be. Letting our guard down for even a second gives Satan the chance he wants to steal our children away from us! Don’t be deceived into thinking that your child will grow up to be godly because they are raised in a godly home. I know several people who were raised as missionary kids or pastor kids who have left that life behind as grown-ups. We must never stop fighting for our children’s godliness!
I am not talking about legalism. I know what and Who I believe, and I am not under the conviction that my standards have to be anyone else’s. I am simply arguing that we should be on guard against the Devil’s fiery darts at all times. As parents, we need to stop defending worldly choices and seek those things which are above. Our children’s lives depend on it!
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