If my kids ask me to download social media one more time on their already very restricted phones, I just might bust. They don’t understand the dangers that are out there because they are hyper focused on the exciting parts of social media: the publicity, the encouragement, the inspiration, the “in the know” lifestyle. We go in circles about why I’m not comfortable with it, but it always ends with the same blood curdling, “WHHHYYYYY???” and “I promise I’ll be careful.”
You can study your butt off for your pre driving test, receive your permit, drive consistently with your mentors, pass your final driving test, and still get in an accident. Why? Because you’re not the only one on the road.
Defensive parenting is hard because my kids are hard headed. They are overly confident and stubborn (just like their momma). I think about how hard it must be for God to be a defensive Father to me. I put myself in so many situations that I “know I can handle,” but I can’t guarantee anything because I’m not in control of everything; but He is. I’ve seen too many people go to a party with a six pack of Dr. Pepper and become an alcoholic addict for me to put faith in myself handling a situation the Creator has warned me about.
We live in the world even though we’re not about this world. But, since we are surrounded by the world and its actions, Satan is going to use it to entice us. You’d be lying if you said there has never been a time you found yourself in a difficult decision of doing what feels right and doing what is right. We’re not strong enough to “feel” the right thing. That’s why God gave us the Bible. We can’t put trust in human thoughts or guidance, because it’s just that: humanistic. We have to trust the truths from God’s Word because that’s eternal.
Hebrews 4:14-15 says, “Don’t take the path of evil people. Don’t live the way sinners do. Stay away from their path and don’t travel on it. Turn away from it and go on your way.” Do you feel like you’ll be okay? Do you feel like you can change him? Do you feel like you are in control? Do you feel like you can abstain? Do you feel that your human defensive is stronger than the world’s offense? Or do you know because (sung in tune) “the Bible tells me so”?
60 years ago last month, the General Surgeon made a landmark report about smoking and the link it has to dangerous health effects, including lung cancer and heart disease. General Luther Terry was quoted to say, “Cigarette smoking contributes substantially to mortality from certain specific diseases and to the overall death rate.”
“Mom…I want Snapchat. Not cigarettes.” -My children
Coincidentally, last May the General Surgeon put out another urgent report. “I issued this advisory because this is an urgent crisis. In the effort to maximize the benefit and minimize the harms of social media on children, we have not made enough progress. As a consequence, I worry about the mental health and well being of our children.” He goes on to say that, “…our children have become unknowing participants in a decade-long experiment,” and that we’ve already lost one generation. The government is taking precautions to save the future ones. So be ready for these labels.
As Christian parents, we can’t act shocked when we see these labels. How many times have we heard Proverbs 14:12 that says, “There is a way that appears to be right. But in the end it leads to death.”
Sometimes, we must put our faith in God’s, “Because I said so,” until we are mature enough to have the reasoning revealed to us. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us of that. Peyton can go from 0-60mph in 3 seconds on the PS5. He’s not too bad on the four wheeler either. There’s a chance that he would make it from point A to point B driving my Pathfinder, but I’m not allowing Him to drive anytime soon. Defensive parenting is not always cool parenting. But, I’m not striving to be right; I’m striving to be righteous.
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