Love Not the World… For Children?
September 2007
4 CommentsWhen this post was written: First child (D) was 4 yrs, 3 mo. Second child (B) was 2 yrs, 9 mo. Third child (L) was 0 yrs, 11 mo.
We adults know that we should not love the world’s system, right?
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. I John 2:15-16
Concepts defined and lived out by the world, like entertainment, success, love, satisfaction, are antithetical to the reality we find in God’s Word.
I wonder whether we’ve thought in biblical terms what “the world” is for a child. The world’s perception of family relationships, non-family relationships, children’s entertainment are often antithetical to the reality we find in God’s Word.
I know some are attempting to counter the world’s system in their children through homeschooling, church activities, and limiting their children’s media input, but I have never heard the problem defined as loving the world. I wonder if this might change how we protect, isolate, and expose our children to the world.
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Teaching our kids a biblical worldview is probably mine and Paul’s highest priority. My 7yo was recently exposed to commercials on TV and I was able to use his response to one in particular (for shoes) to show him the motive behind their marketing “ploys”. It sparked a good conversation, and he is starting to look at advertising differently now…which I find very rewarding, especially since I didn’t come to terms with a lot of this stuff till I was an adult. There’s a sort of sheltering that quickly becomes stifling, and no exposure at all, ever, is much more dangerous in the long run (speaking from sad experience with siblings). Teaching them to be “in the world, but not of the world”, however, is the best protection we can give them, in my opinion.
1 Gina said this (September 29, 2007 at 8:25 pm)
True enough, but I was thinking primarily how we neglect to teach our children (or consider ourselves) what loving the world looks like from a child’s perspective.
2 Michelle said this (October 1, 2007 at 6:35 am)
Ah…okay…I wasn’t quite understanding your point.
(My kids seem to be naturally enthusiastic lovers-of-the-world, however! *sigh* lol Parenting is all-encompassing and downright complicated many times. As well as energy-sucking! lol)
3 Gina said this (October 1, 2007 at 7:25 pm)
Yes, I figured I was less than clear. It’s great having kids, because I can blame so many things on motherhood: absentmindedness, tiredness, clumsiness. Ha!
I’ll have to be thinking on this topic some more. I think it’s worth taking some time with. btw, Thanks for your feedback. It’s enormously helpful for me to know when I’m not making sense!
4 Michelle said this (October 1, 2007 at 8:08 pm)