Warning: Athletics & Music may be Hazardous to the Spiritual Health of Your Family |
First, let me say that I realize it is an increasingly difficult challenge for Christian fathers and mothers to provide wholesome activities for their children. The easy way to do this (really a copout) is to allow public schools, Little League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other organizations to do the PARENT'S job of directing the energies and occupying our children's time. However, I believe in doing this we violate Biblical principles and ignore scriptural warnings. This will hurt our children and the testimony of Jesus Christ. If we choose this option the results may be as terrible as the Bible states they were for the nation Israel, ...they sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons...
My concern is primarily in two areas. One, being the effect these activities will have on our own children. The second, the influence our example in allowing these activities will have on other families. A parent may feel that their children can successfully resist the temptation to conform to the world that they will be exposed to by participating in unnecessary activities sponsored by the public schools and other organizations. However, even if one is correct in evaluating the strength of their children, surely none would conclude that ALL children can successfully resist such temptations. If other families are unable to successfully resist such temptations and our example encourages them to submit themselves or their children to these temptations, it is important to remember that God will hold us accountable for our example.
It is easy to forget that the public school system, as we know it, is an artificial system, designed by the leadership in and of the world to accomplish what on the surface seem to be very commendable goals. However, it is important that we realize that the one who rules in the children of disobedience has a secret agenda that is not talked about. That agenda is to blind the minds of people from the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
Most Christian parents have seen situations where young people have grown up and cultivated friendships in the world and have drifted into a life of sin. One of the primary reasons is because they do not believe the truth in the following scriptures. Usually they are badly hurt emotionally, morally, spiritually and in some cases physically before they come to the place of repentance.
Parents, by law, are required to educate their children. Children do need a good basic education. The public school system is still considered by most (but not all) Christians to be an acceptable method of accomplishing this. It is not without risk. However, to extend the influence of the public school system or other organizations of the world BEYOND what is NECESSARY needs to be carefully examined in light of the following scriptures.
Romans 12:2
And DO NOT BE CONFORMED to this world, but BE TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
James 4:4
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? Whoever therefore WANTS TO BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD MAKES HIMSELF an ENEMY OF GOD.
1 John 2:15
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD or the THINGS IN THE WORLD. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you RECEIVED the WORD of GOD which you heard from us, you welcomed it NOT AS THE WORD OF MEN, but AS IT IS IN TRUTH, the WORD OF GOD, which also EFFECTIVELY WORKS IN YOU WHO BELIEVE.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is VEILED to those who ARE PERISHING, Whose minds THE GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED, who do not believe, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Ephesians 2:2
In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit who now works in the SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE
Ephesians 5:5-12
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God... Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 11 And HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. (Today not much of it is secret. The sinful lifestyle of prominent people such as athletes, entertainers & politicians is pretty open and known to all.)
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: "EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD HABITS."
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with WISE MEN WILL BE WISE, but the COMPANION of FOOLS will BE DESTROYED.
Proverbs 22:24-25
Make NO FRIENDSHIP with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, 25 LEST YOU LEARN HIS WAYS and set a snare for your soul.
Philippians 1:9-11
...That you may APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT, that you may BE sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning...
1 Corinthians 10:6-11
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted... 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
Psalms 106:35-39
But they MINGLED WITH THE GENTILES And LEARNED THEIR WORKS; 36 They served their idols, Which became a snare to them. 37 They even SACRIFICED their SONS And their DAUGHTERS TO DEMONS, 38 And SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, Even THE BLOOD of their SONS AND DAUGHTERS, Whom they SACRIFICED TO THE IDOLS OF CANAAN; And the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus they were DEFILED BY THEIR OWN WORKS, And PLAYED THE HARLOT BY THEIR OWN DEEDS.
Proverbs 24:1
Do not be envious of evil men, nor DESIRE TO BE WITH THEM (We need to let God define evil men. They are described in Ephesians 2)
These scriptures (and there are many more) should help us realize that it is not wise to unnecessarily expose ourselves or our children to the influence of the world. There is a tremendous amount of Satan's influence that we can not avoid. I believe that every Christian parent wants his children to grow up as described in the Psalms, That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style;... Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD! (Psalms 144:12 - 15).
However, in order to accomplish this the Psalmist prayed that God would, Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks vain words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood-- (Psalms 144:11). Verse 11 is an accurate description of the world we are not to love or to want friendship with. We will have the success of verses 12 to 15 to the degree we are NOT influenced and our children are NOT influenced by those described in verse 11.
One of the aspects of extracurricular school activities that makes them so deceptive is the fact that often WHAT is done is OF ITSELF fine, possibly even "excellent." Young people need exercise as the scripture says, For bodily exercise profits a little, (1 Timothy 4:8). However, it is not necessary to develop the taste for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life to get adequate exercise or to have a good time. If there is a risk of compromising the second half of the passage, ... but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8), it is not worth the risk.
To learn to play and sing music is good, as the scripture tells us: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16). Music is a powerful force in molding the minds of people. It effects the emotions and the intellect at the same time. Therefore it is good to learn to use this medium in a spiritual way. However, it is just as important that we do not let the god of this world use it to influence us in a carnal way. Do we want our children to become caught up in and worship the physical ability, beauty or handsomeness of the athlete? Do we want them to develop the desire for praise that comes from being a winner in this human and fleshly plane? Do we want them to feel accomplished because they are praised by those who want to use them for a time, discard them and then turn to someone else to use to accomplish their own goals? Do we want our young people to be unable to distinguish between songs, hymns and spiritual songs that "teach and admonish" and the soulish and sentimental songs the world craves and our flesh will enjoy? Do we want the MORAL VALUES of our young people to be molded by the immoral lyrics that are a part of most popular music of whatever type? I feel every Christian parent would answer, NO, NO, NO!!! Certainly when we lose a young person to drink, drugs, immorality or the world itself, we say "NO". We are exhorted by God, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR. RESIST HIM, STEADFAST in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Peter 5:8 & 9)
Relevant to the responsibility each of us has for the influence we might have on other families whose children may not successfully resist the temptation to conform to this world, let me share the following passages with you.
Matthew 18:6-7
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Romans 14:12-13
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
Romans 14:15-16
Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
Romans 14:19
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Romans 14:21
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9-13
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
1 Corinthians 10:31-32
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God.
Hebrews 12:12-14
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Philippians 1:9-11
APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, Being filled with the fruits of righteousness... to the glory and praise of God.
From these passages I get a very strong feeling that even if my family is "strong" (which is a very dangerous conclusion), even if I feel I can resist temptation (which is a very foolish conclusion in light of 1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.), I need to allow the potential of my actions on others to limit what I will do or allow my family to do in many situations.
I hope and pray that every Christian parent will prayerfully consider these scriptures and the thoughts expressed. We as Christian fathers need to put out the effort to provide wholesome activities for our children with other young people whose parents have the same commitment of heart. It is our responsibility, not the responsibility of the worldly wise men. Don't forget that they have hidden agenda, that in many cases may even be hidden from them.
Robert A. Grove
December 13, 1996
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