Moral standards do not change overnight. It is, rather, a gradual process involving both instruction and conditioning. What can the righteous do if the foundations are destroyed? (Ps. 11:3). In addition to what has been mentioned in previous articles, we must teach our children the importance of sexual purity.
As parents, ours is a battle for the mind and heart of our children. Loose moral thinking leads to immoral conduct. Jesus rightly identifies the source of the problem, saying, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mk. 7:21-23).
Good parents provide a healthy diet for their children. It is not enough to restrict the intake of bad food. We must also provide good food. The same is true of a child’s spiritual diet. We must monitor and restrict what a child brings into his or her heart. Are your children learning to accept the world’s standards? What television programs are they watching? To what music are they listening? What about video games? Are you aware of what is going into your child’s mind? Remember that what goes on in your child’s life is produced by what goes into your child’s mind.
As it pertains to sexual purity, sources tell us that as many as 95% of those who get married have engaged in premarital sex. But, moral purity is not a matter of following the crowd (Ex. 23:2). Children must learn, by means of instruction and example, that following God means standing against the crowd by following a different path (Mt. 7:13-14). Our children need to be taught that sex is exclusive to the marriage relationship and that God will judge those who violate this covenant (Hb. 13:4). We must teach our children that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that, having been bought with a price, they must glorify God in their bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20). If we do not teach our children the truth about sexual purity, it is highly likely that they will be influenced by what is going on in the world around them. Don’t wait until a problem surfaces, prepare your children today for the challenges they will tomorrow.
The world does not determine our standards for what is right or wrong. God has already done that in His word. David credited God’s word with his success against sin, saying, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Ps. 119:11). We have the curriculum. All that remains is to practice and teach it.