Discerning the Media

In the recent “News from the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation”, Michele Howe of New Growth Press speaks with CCEF Faculty Member and marriage and family counselor Winston Smith about practical ways that parents can equip their family to think accurately in response to media's powerful messages. Here are some helpful insights

On helping our children discern media:

"The foundation for helping our youngsters develop their media antenna is to hone their understanding of the human heart. The Bible says we're all self-deceived. As people live out their belief systems in front of others, our kids need to understand that they're being exposed to someone's worldview, which is frequently inaccurate or skewed when lined up against the Bible."

On talking to our children about sex:

"The world presents sex as the hidden animal side of people and as a secret sin. The Bible teaches just the opposite. Sex between a married man and woman is specially designed to communicate love between them. But when sex is used outside God's parameters, we communicate something hurtful. Parents have the responsibility to give their kids a positive vision of sexuality."

On rules and wisdom:

"Moms and dads must ask themselves what their parenting goals are. As a father, my goal is to grow my kids into God-honoring persons of faith. I realize that as they move into adulthood, they cannot simply be rule followers any longer. Rather, they need to be wise decision makers. Parents have to understand their own transition from the rule enforcer to the wise counselor as their children get older. Our roles shift. Of course, how quickly this occurs depends on what each child can handle."

Smith offers helpful perspective on other issues as well, even on body piercings and tattoos, where he encourages parents not to react to those thoughts but to engage their teens help direct the issues to the heart. As pastors, we would see the point in what he says here, but we would add that there is a difference between buying a tee shirt that can be tossed or used as a rag in the future, and doing something permanent or defacing to your body, which belongs to God.

To read the complete article follow this link to “Make It Real: Media and the Home Front”