Want to create some havoc in your home? Try cutting off the flow of social media to your kids. That’s right. Put all iPhones, Android phones, tablets and computers in a safe and lock them away. Then for good measure, disconnect any cable, DSL, satellite or any other internet connections to your home. Next, see what happens.
There are many who think this would be the perfect solution to solve the relational issues your children struggle with. But does this really solve anything?
Outside influence has always been in issue with raising children and, to be honest, for adults as well. Lot chose to live in an attractive city that had plenty of water for crops. It was well populated for protection from wild animals and marauding bands of nomads. But the pride and the resultant sins of this particular city proved to be Lot’s undoing.
Proverbs warns about the negative influence of fellow Israelites who would entice young men to throw in their lot with them to steal and murder. Then, in chapter 7, there is the seductive neighbor who waits in the street to lure young fools to enter her bedroom.
The Apostle Paul even quotes a Greek poet to warn that bad company will corrupt good character.
In none of the above examples was the internet, social media or electronic devices involved. The point is that we are easily led astray by outside influences. If the internet, text messaging or electronic media, is not available, the flesh will find sinful influences all on its own.
So removing all possibility of using internet connectivity is not protection from the sensual lusts that abound. What is the solution to negative influences that will turn your children and you from God?
Paul provides the answer:
Everything your children do should be done in the name of Christ for the glory of God!
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
In other words, if something cannot be done to add to God’s reputation, that is the glory of God, with gratitude to God, in the name of Christ, it should not be done!
“Whoa! If that is true we wouldn’t be able to do anything, Well, almost anything. I guess we could still go to church, maybe. How, do I teach my child to take out the trash or to check his Instagram account for the glory of God? Are you crazy?”
You see, this is where the problem lies. We have put God in a religious box and we get angry when he won’t stay there!
Check out the next post for some practical ways to do all that we do, including using social media, for the glory of God.