Parents We Are An Example
Dear Christian,
The example we set for our children is of the utmost importance, so we should be modeling purity. Like Paul, we should be able to say to our kids and friends “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). If Jesus is our Lord then we will follow him, listen to Him, and be obedient to Him. Paul encouraged a young pastor with these words, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
If you are a parent like me, we should be the filter of what content our kids are allowed to see, and the gatekeeper on their friends and relationships, and that would also include social media and technology. One of my young sons turned on the TV and HGTV was on, but then came the commercials. We took that channel off immediately as there were inappropriate ads… why? As parents I believe will be held accountable to God on how well we protected our kids from the evils of the world.
Billy Graham said: “The Bible teaches that we are to live in this world, but we are not to partake of the evils of the world. We are to be separated from the world of evil. When I face something in the world, I ask: ‘Does it violate any principle of Scripture? Does it take the keen edge off my Christian life? Can I ask God’s blessing on it? Will it be a stumbling block to others? Would I like to be there, or reading that, or be watching that, if Christ should return at that time?’
Worldliness doesn’t fall like an avalanche upon a person and sweep him or her away. It is the steady drip, drip, drip of the water that wears away the stone. The world is exerting a steady pressure on us every day. Most of us would go down under it, if it weren’t for the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us, and holds us up, and keeps us.”
Parents we are an example for our kids. A good and godly example or a bad and worldly example. This should cause each of us to be humble and desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
God tells us to have the mindset to be in the world but not of or like the world. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15).
So my hope of this post is to encourage you, challenge you, and equip you to say, as I have said: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. … But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
