Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 021 - Say NO to Ungodly Influences in Your Heart and Home
Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast
Episode #021 – Say NO to Ungodly Influences in Your Heart and Home
Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms.
As I look back in review of my life, I recognize ways I was been deceived and sometimes followed self instead of my Savior. Especially in my 20’s and early 30’s, when I was younger in the faith, I grew well in some areas and was ignorant in others. I was not discipled properly, and because of that, like each of us, I followed the propensity to follow what lookedor seemed right due to lack of biblical training.
Don’t let this happen to you or your child. Everyone needs proper discipleship. Whether you have a son or daughter who has confessed Jesus as their personal Savior and is beginning a walk with Him or have a child who has been following Jesus for some time, godly mentorship is crucial.
Since I desire to intentionally seek God’s wisdom and direction so that my intentions and actions will be pleasing to Him, I am focused on maturing my faith daily. I’m sure you desire to do the same. If not, please listen to the influences we will discuss today. Perhaps one or more has become a stumbling block that hinders your walk and in extension, will do the same to your precious child as they watch and learn from you. Each one of us is susceptible to falling daily and need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
As we purposely look for things that need to be eliminated from our lives to gain godly wisdom and grow our Heavenly relationship, we experience the truth that the Christian walk is a lifestyle that evolves as our faith and obedience stretches and deepens.
On this episode today, I want to draw attention to ungodly influences or practices that might reside in your heart and home. Some have become so ingrained in our culture that it is hard for people to recognize they are coasting in a walk with Jesus or drifting away from God. If left unaddressed, these things will affect your walk with Christ, separating you from strong relationship with Him, but also touch and shape those you meet, as well as those you love.
Please pray that as you listen, your spirit will be pricked in areas God may be calling you to submit or obey by removing them from your life, so you may humbly please and follow Him as He desires. As I write this podcast, I’m also asking God to alert me to areas I need to remove from my life or repent to Him.
This episode is heavy on Scriptures, because God’s Word is our hope and strength, a gift from the Almighty to us, a lifeline of hope, guidance, and strength. Please take notes if you desire and remember that you may also visit terrihitt.com to print a transcript of this episode to save the verses you hear for future reference, because God’s word to us is so powerful and healing. It simply is the sustenance we need daily.
Of course, Scripture is the way our heart and mind hears the gift of salvation. It allows us to grow our relationship with God through Christ. God opens us to His truths and exposes the deception of this world through His holy Words. Every believer has heard that truth, but not everyone believes and practices what God shares and commands. A person will never be convicted and transformed apart from the power of God and His holy Word.
I’ve compiled a list that I believe touches every human in some way. As you listen, prayerfully seek God’s direction and guidance to see if He may be calling you to remove, repent, or restructure your walk with Him in some way. Ask Him to guard your children, your parenting, and guide you to clearly follow Him so your children will witness the way you honor and obey God. Pray that your children will humbly and willingly live within His boundaries with joy.
Ungodly Influences That May Exist in Your Heart or Home:
1. Attitude – 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Without humbly seeking and clinging to Jesus, our attitude is subject to a roller coaster of emotions. Only a steady focus on Christ can protect believers from a wash of emotions or thoughts that move far from where our Heavenly Father calls us to abide.
2. False Preachers – 1 John 4:1-6 says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.” Our world is full of false preachers and those who proclaim to follow Christ yet lead others far from what His Word teaches and commands. It is imperative to be in God’s holy Word daily, and to purposely grow your knowledge of, understanding of, and obedience to Scripture moment by moment. When you walk through each day, your thought process should revert to what God says about topics and situations. Study His character and commands so that you recognize false teachings immediately – from others and within your thought process. Just as the serpent deceived Adam and Eve by twisting God’s truths, he is out to swindle each human and rob us of a joy-filled, obedient life here and for eternity.
3. Influencers - Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Just because someone has a strong social media presence, is a Hollywood star, a famous athlete, or a popular pastor it does not mean they practice what they preach. I have found that not everyone with a social media account lives the way they show online. Neither does everyone without an online presence. Each of us are influencers to another in some way. Especially if you are a parent. Strive to be a genuine reflection of Jesus. The way to do so is to know Him intimately through the Bible and prayer. Our walk with Christ grows stronger by seeking and abiding in Him. Let His influence be the guiding factor and influence in your heart and home.
4. Activities – (Language, Alcohol, Drugs, Pornography, Adultery, or Addictions – too much of something or anything done with the wrong intentions – food, shopping, exercise, etc.) - Proverbs 3:32 says, “For the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in His confidence.” So many people struggle with secret sin. God sees and knows all. Whether it is an addiction or something that is threatening to become one, or if it something that a person is doing despite what God’s Word commands, freedom is only found once we submit and humbly ask forgiveness from God. It is only when we realize we are hurting the Lord through our sin that we can rely on His strength to follow Christ through the steps to freedom. It may be a moment-by-moment submission to God or a one-time release, but He is present. He cares. God’s strength is enough for anything.
5. Entertainment (Books, Movies, Music, Magazines, Games) -Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Just as in #4, Christ has paid the price for our sins; He is more than enough to release any of us from what He calls unpleasing or sinful. Most of the entertainment available in our society is filthy. If you even look at advertisements, you see how far from Christ we have moved. Our children see what is available as normal unless they are taught to seek what is godly and holy. They will likely desire what you are drawn to. This includes, not only entertainment, but characteristics, morals, and dedication to growing their relationship with Jesus.
6. Friends - 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Those we surround ourselves with become heavy influences on our beliefs, attitude, actions, and reactions. In extension, they affect those we love. Our lives influence others. Be careful to lead others to Christ through your beliefs, words, attitude, motives, and actions.
7. Décor and Decorations – John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Our homes should be a godly place of refuge for all who enter, especially for those who live within the walls. The type of décor we use silently expresses our belief system, memories, morals, and desires. Decorations used for holidays show our character and exposes where our walk is with Christ. Do you showcase items that would be pleasing to Him if He were visiting unexpectedly? Remember, He is within the walls of your home and sees into your heart. What joy our homes can be filled with if we let His heart speak to ours and we allow the light of the Holy Spirit within to guide us in our décor and decoration choices.
8. Addictions - James 4:4 says, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Addictions are the ways humans in need of healing look for fulfillment in excessive and sometimes hurtful, damaging, or neglectful ways. When we desire too much or fall into habits that draw us away from God’s best for us or His holy commands, it is time to focus on strengthening our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus and His omnipotent strength can rescue and release us from the pain and bondage of any type of addiction. Only He can fill the gaps or hurts in our character or emotions that we desperately seek and try to fill with other things.
9. Relationships - Proverbs 12:26 says, “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Sometimes we simply need to let go of the past, forgive, and enjoy relationships with those in our life. At other times, we need to let go of the past by releasing people from our life. Because God knows motives, hearts, and situations, our relationship with Jesus is a beautiful and godly guide to whether we should be growing or going. Our identity in and through Jesus is where we find our strength and wisdom to treat ourselves and others as He would direct. Model godly relationships for your children and let them witness Christ work in your life through them.
10. Bitterness – Hebrews 12:15says, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” When we stop to practice true thankfulness for what we do and what we do not receive because we trust in God and His sovereignty, we are able to find identity and recognition through Him, instead of this world. When we center our thoughts, feelings, and emotions on Him, bitterness does not find soil to plant roots.
11. Unforgiveness – Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we have seen perfect forgiveness modeled. When we practice what He proclaims, we can draw upon His strength to endure what this life brings without allowing unforgiveness to overtake our spirit.
12. Ungodly Character – Ezekiel 36:26says, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Our belief system, values, motivations, and attitude form and expose the character we exhibit. If we trust in God and continue to seek personal relationship with Jesus, respect God’s Word and authority in our life, and seek to please and honor Him, the ungodliness we naturally turn toward will transform more and more into a reflection of Christ. Ephesians 5:3says, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
13. Pridefulness – Proverbs 16:18says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Our culture celebrates pride while God despises the practice. Each human must battle the fleshly inclination to follow and exalt self. The key to conquering pride lies within whether we rely on self or Christ to eradicate it. While some suffer more from pride than others, even the smallest form can lead to devastating destruction.
14. Indifference - Revelation 3:15-16 says, “’I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’” God yearns for our heart but gives us free choice. Within that freedom, He desires that we be cold or hot. Either desire Him or not. God does not want a lukewarm spirit that claims to love Him yet does nothing to mature in Him, exhibit that love, or serve Him with a cheerful heart.
15. Idleness - 1 Timothy 5:13says, “Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.” As we draw nearer to God in our personal relationship through Jesus, we are more prone to use our time wisely for Him and serve others more freely in His name.
16. The Occult - Leviticus 19:31 says, “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.” I recognize more of this in our culture and world daily. Don’t you? As the forms are sometimes clearly visible and sometimes sneakily creeping into our lives or the lives of our children through various forms, the devil wastes no time seeking to steal, kill, and destroy as God’s Word warns. Horoscopes, most young adult books and even children’s books, especially the popular the Harry Potter series, which desensitizes us and our children to the practice of evil and witchcraft, astrology, communication with the deceased, crystals, mediums, and those who offer healing through mediums, Quija boards, seances, channeling, magic, tarot cards, psychic hotlines, and evil décor all are an abomination to the Lord and through His word. Our sovereign and Holy Father instructs us to stay far from the occult without compromise.
The list is long; I pray I highlighted most of what we need to watch out for.
Where do you find your hope? Your guidance and strength?
Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
God is not willing that any should perish, as Scripture clearly tells us. His guidelines are a fence of protection to keep us far from harm and safe in His perfect protection.
Galatians 5:19-24 says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Dear Heavenly Father, God only You are holy. Only You are worthy. How far we are from You! Help us to find our way to You in deeper and godlier ways. Carve the impurities from our life and equip us to be the mentors and guides our children and grandchildren need. Father, we need You! Thank you for Your holy Word and the difference it makes in the life of one committed to You. May we reflect You so lovingly and accurately that our children passionately seek and follow You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture.
I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and purposely connect with your child and Christ.