Protecting Our Children: A 3-Day Parenting PlanSample

No Vile Thing

"Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure ... think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

A father was watching television with his thirteen-year-old daughter. In attempting to accommodate her, they selected a drama that was popular with teenagers. The dad was shocked by what he saw and heard, but he tried hard not to turn their time of “togetherness” into a parental lecture. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. “Honey,” he said, “I just can’t sit here and let this trash come into our home. This is awful. We’re going to have to watch something else.” To his surprise, his daughter said, “I wondered when you would finally turn it off, Dad. That program is terrible.”

Our children may resist our efforts to screen out the filth that permeates their world, but they know it’s right to do so. They will respect us for saying, “God gave us this home, and we’re not going to insult Him by polluting it with foul programming.” However, in order to make this judgment, you have to be watching with your children when a program comes on. You also have to keep TVs and computers out of your kids’ bedrooms, where it’s impossible to monitor what’s being seen.

It’s not a bad idea to unplug your TVs and computers altogether when your kids are young—but if you do have these devices in your home, we suggest you base your viewing policy on the words of the psalmist: “I will set before my eyes no vile thing” (Psalm 101:3).

Questions for Today . . .

• Do you truly know—and endorse—what your kids are watching?
• Do you have the courage and wisdom to protect your home from “vile things”?

Prayer . . .

Spirit of God, stir us to vigilance! Forgive me for allowing influences into my home that warp attitudes and rob innocence from my precious children. Help me to take whatever action I need to take to protect my little ones. Amen.

(Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Parents. Used with permission.)

Bonus Content: No Vile Thing

It’s impossible to avoid technology in our society. So how can Christian parents protect their kids from stumbling onto depraved content that’s available online? Matt and Ariel Holcomb understand this challenge. In this new video, they offer helpful advice for keeping vile images and messages from entering your home. This is critical information that all moms and dads need to consider.