We must face the fact that our young people are
living in two worlds: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
They are confronted on a daily basis with difficult choices. The
cry of Joshua echoes today: "Choose you this day whom ye
will serve." Our prayer is that they will choose the Lord
over all the world has to offer.
Why do you suppose some (if not many) of our teens
choose Satan's world? I suggest three answers.
First, Satan's way is easy. Consider what Christ
said in Matthew 7:13, 14. "Enter ye in by the narrow gate:
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction,
and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate,
and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they
that find it." Have you considered how much easier it is
for this generation of teens to access things that are harmful
for them? Pornography, drugs, and alcohol are just a click or
a few dollars away from young people today.
Second, Satan's way is fun - temporarily. Isn't
that what our society thrives on today? Most talk shows, in fact,
most of the message of the media is "What makes you happy!"
The latter consequences are forgotten. The writer of Hebrews says,
"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called
the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to share ill treatment
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for
a season." Hebrews 11:24, 25.
Third, Satan's way is appealing to our young people
because we have not set a good example. If we, as parents, do
not want our children to be worldly, materialistic, selfish, and
dishonest, we must rid these things from our lives. Our young
people will learn more from what we do than from what we say -
period! Paul instructs us, "And, ye fathers, provoke not
your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and
admonition of the Lord." Ephesians. 6:4.
Young people have always been faced with difficult
choices, but, in some ways, today's challenges are different from
the ones we faced a few generations ago. May God help us to look
to His Word which contains the answers to all of our society's
ills including our teenagers' struggles. 14310 Wooster Rd., Mt.
Vernon, OH 43050.