I don’t know a single parent who would encourage, or even allow, a friendship between their child and another person who wanted to hurt them. Why, then, are some parents so permissive when it comes to the relationship between their child and the world?
Make no mistake. Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). His intent is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He is the ultimate predator (1 Pet. 5:8), yet parents—Christian parents—allow their children to spend concentrated time under his influence.
Parents who expect honor and obedience from their children are allowing them to watch sitcoms that mock mothers, emasculate fathers, and feature sassy, out-spoken children as protagonists.
Parents who hold marriage to be a sacred covenant between one man and one woman are allowing their children to watch movies and read books that make extramarital affairs, homosexual relationships, and divorce seem acceptable.
Parents who promote purity, love, and forgiveness are allowing their children to listen to music with violent, hateful lyrics and lewd themes.
And the list goes on.
Granted, exposure to the world is inevitable. We do live in it, after all, but friendship with the world is wrong. To be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God (James 4:4). Yet, some parents actually encourage the premature exposure of their children to worldly things, claiming it will make their children stronger, teach them to think for themselves, and prepare them for adulthood.
I doubt it.
Premature exposure to corruption and perversion will, more likely, instill fear in their hearts, confuse their minds, and discourage them before the foundation of Truth we are laying (or ought to be laying) even has a chance to set.
Sooner or later, all children grow up. Almost all leave the nest. At that time, they will make decisions on their own. In the meantime, we must, even as we encourage them to become increasingly independent, help them establish boundaries that promote personal spiritual health and intimacy with the One who loves them most.
Wonder why kids today are insecure, angry, and afraid? How would you feel after hanging out with a predator?