Do You Know What Your Children Are Watching?


Rick Tincher


A few weeks ago my children were watching a show on Nickelodeon. It was a “G” rated program. In it were references to two uncles who were homosexual. Another episode had an openly gay character. Channels like Disney and Nickelodeon are evidently now embracing the “gay lifestyle.” Most of the so-called “teen” oriented programs are now about all forms of fornication. Do your kids watch “Skins” on MTV? It is so pornographic it should not be on TV, but I guess that battle was lost a long time ago.


Things have changed so much since I was a child. Our children are exposed to all kinds of evil. The sad thing is, in some cases, we as parents and grandparents are assisting them. We give them cell-phones (with texting and “pics”), unlimited access to hundreds of channels on the TV, the internet, just to mention a few. Do not misunderstand me, I have nothing against cell-phones, TV, or the internet, but please consider: Do you have any idea what your children are viewing with these things? Do you know what your children are posting on Facebook? I have seen some Christian young people put shameful pictures on Facebook and say things no Christian should say. The answer is obvious: parents must monitor what their children are using. For example, I have blocked a number of channels from our cable because of the amount of “garbage” they present.


I realize it is impossible to monitor everything our children see and hear, but we could, at least, try. As parents, we are still in charge. Paul makes it clear we are responsible for the upbringing of our children: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4.


Moses said, in his farewell address to the Jews, that they were responsible to teach their children. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7.


May God bless us, as parents, to lead our children by example. -14310 Wooster Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH 43050.


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