Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 012 - Values in a World of Immorality
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast
Episode #012 – Values in a World of Immorality
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.
On the last “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast episode we discussed “Roots of Wisdom.” We read from one of the best sources of wisdom in the Bible, Proverbs. Today I’d like to share about another type of wisdom in our life – morality constructed on the foundationof godly wisdom.
What is the best definition of wisdom? If we turn to the dictionary, we see the definition the world gives: the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. It is also described as common sense and good judgement. Yet, we have to stop and ponder whodefines what is good or can label something as common sense. Let’s turn from our human-written dictionary and refer to the Bible to see what 1 Corinthians 3:18-21a says, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders!”
In order to build and maintain godly values in this world of immorality, we must stand firmly on God’s truths.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
God offers wisdom to any who seek it from Him. Our Heavenly Father desires that we receive His wisdom and use it for His glory, as well as the good of others.
It’s so easy to rely on what we believe is good or true. Growing up, I always considered myself mature for my age, yet I remember mistakes made because I followed self and what felt right, rather than allowing God to penetrate every decision or choice I made. We each desperately need the Holy Spirit within us to guide and transform us daily; we need God’s truths and guidelines to firmly direct and protect us.
As believers, we understand through God’s word that a human’s definition of righteous will never reach the height of God’s holiness. Man’s law is in direct opposition to God’s law; desires of our flesh and the righteousness of God will never align with our sinless Heavenly Father. God is so high above us, yet through His holy, personal love for us, He established a way to experience Him intimately, a way that allows Him to fill and transform us more into His image. This is not a likeness that lifts us to become like God, but one that peels away the layers of our selfish, sinful hearts, and presents us with a foundation of holiness only available through Jesus, one that penetrates what feelsgood or seems to be right in our mind. One that allows us Hiswisdom, the true source of knowledge and discernment.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16, says, “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love Him—these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
In this world we live in, people try to preach that truth is relative, that we each carry personal truths. Nowadays, it’s common to hear people say that we should all get along and yet, if someone doesn’t agree with what they say or believe, somehow their stated belief that we can each have our personal truths goes out the window and they angrily attack the ones who disagree.
In my lifetime I’ve witnessed generations of people who disagreed, but agreed to do so without conflict, respecting each person’s right to freedom of choice or belief, but now, the opposite is often true. People attack and accuse while also proclaiming about getting along and accepting everyone. The truth is that those who act this way only want to get along with those who agree with them and offer no challenge to what they profess. Why? Because they don’t understand that truth is not relative. What is the only way for us to know truth? Attunement with God and a close, maturing relationship with Him that searches and studies the scriptures and invests in prayer.
We are living in a time of rapid moral decline. Although many proclaim that truth is relative, strong believers know that God’s truth is truly the only moral compass.
How do we live by and teach our children or grandchildren godly values in a world filled with immorality and confusion?
Beginning in preschool, children are bombarded by lies shared in direct opposition to the truths of God. The days of enjoying Saturday morning cartoons on television like I did as a child are long gone. Most programming, as well as books, music, toys, and educational institutions, even the local library are filled with what I will simply call trash. Indoctrination camps are what I call learning institutions today and I believe that most parents are finally waking up to the lies and the evilness our precious children are actively being subjected to.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Everything our children are exposed to will shape their mindset, beliefs, and actions.
Parents cannot wait to teach the godly values and faith God desires that we mentor to our children. We must begin from the earliest time we have with them. As our walk with Christ is purposely strengthened daily, our desire to inhale Jesus and exhale a holy walk with Him becomes evident in all we do. Our children will accept and build from the relationship they see us build and carry with Christ, but we have to be purposed. Those out to steal and destroy the innocence in your child and fill their minds with wisdom of this world are intentional with each step they take.
As I always say, the first step in teaching our children the good news about Christ and helping them to form a personal walk with Jesus is by establishing a strong walk with Him ourselves. Once we have that intimate connection with Christ, and we are purposely maturing it moment by moment, we have the foundation and the desire to ensure that our children have the opportunity to do the same.
Once our children have built their worth and shaped their world views through Christ, they understand that truth is not relative.
Beyond what we have already discussed in past episodes, (most importantly, that your walk with Jesus be personal and maturing) how do parents help their children build a strong relationship with Jesus, and not only recognize, but liveby His truths? What do we teach them to look out for? How do we help them to live in this world without following everything the worldprofesses as good and right?
Our generation of Christian parents must face hard, confusing topics with their kids early. Children are learning subjects such as relative truth, racism, abortion, sexuality, identity, and love viewed through the opinions of the world, instead of on what God’s word teaches. Each of these subjects will play a part in whether your family is built up with an ungodly or godly foundation. In other words, a foundation that crumbles or one that stands. God’s word is the only truth that should be taught throughout the life of your child.
Because of what our educational institutions have and are teaching our children, because of the negligence of the church, because of parental confusion or ignorance, moral relativism has a grasp on our culture and thus, our children. Moral relativism, or the belief that morals are not based on an absolute standard, is destroying family, spiritual relationships, education, the church, our legal system, and our country.
Once belief in God, or the absolute truths He teaches are shaken, and truth is considered relative, we live with the devastating assumption that there must be no authority. If no authority is present, society has no moral compass to establish right from wrong; we (and our children) are left with worldly wisdom and morals to lead us.
Isaiah 5:20-21 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!”
What 6 steps must we follow to ensure we teach our children God’s truths?
1. Read God’s word. Read your Bible in your private time and read the Bible with your children. Help your children to establish times to read the Bible themselves, as well. If your child is too young to read, let them see you read your Bible so that the importance of God’s word is mentored to them and they can mirror the habit. Invest in a good study Bible for older children and keep investing in new editions as they grow. When your child is young, read story Bibles and act out, draw, or sing the adventures together. Let them know how important you consider God’s word to be and begin telling them from infancy that God’s word is truth and light for our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
2. Discuss scripture and fold God’s word into daily life. Don’t wait to teach about topics at a certain time. Weaving God’s truths into the daily life and routine of your child sets the foundation for beliefs that stick. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
3. Teach your children to understand what culture is. Help them see the fallen values and norms a society accepts without the wisdom of God to direct them. Society is the resulting behavior of the people’s beliefs, as we see in our world today. Discuss current events and compare events, culture, and society in light of God’s word in age appropriate ways. Proverbs 12:1says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
4. Pray scripture in your prayers alone and with your children. Pray for your children in accordance with God’s desires daily. Cover your family and your guidance to your children in prayer. Help your children incorporate prayer into their personal time. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commands.”
5. Surround yourself and your family with godly influences – personally, in music, literature, shows, movies, lessons, friends, etc. We must live the lifestyle God has chosen for us and show that we honor and believe Him in the way we live. Proverbs 14:12says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
6. Know the Bible well and discuss it with your children often. Much of the degradation of society comes from not knowing the word of God or practicing it. Proverbs 10:9says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
We can only walk in integrity when we step in the paths God has directed for us to follow.
Why is it so important to know God’s word?
When we are familiar with God’s word, we are blessed with the ability to recognize falsehoodsand twisting of His holy truths. The Bible lays a clear groundwork for our walk with God. If we listen and obey, we find how to construct the foundation for a life of peace, joy, and fellowship with Him and others and we learn important basic life lessons that are meant to form the foundationfor everything we believe and do as individuals and as a society. Through the Bible God establishes facts that prove His truths and warn against about destructive beliefs. Our society has been constructed on sand that is eroding beneath poorly laid foundations and our children and future generations will pay the price. Although society tries to make us believe that we are able to do what feels good, or what we desire instead of following the commandments of God, the following verses prove what God truly calls for us.
Let’s look at 10 ways our culture is deceiving our children and what God’s wisdom says.
As I read each point, listen prayerfully and ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in directing your children or grandchildren in His truth and light. So many people want to be loving, so they accept what society does without mentioning God’s truths. We can love without condemning, as God gives each of us free will and the ability to choose how we want to live. It is not our place to judge another person, however, we also have the responsibility to know, practice, and teach God’s truths and commandments to our children and to live in ways that honor God.
1. God’s Sovereignty - God created the heavens and the earth, and all things in them. In Hebrew, the word created is associated only with God – and the word speaks of something that only our holy, sovereign Heavenly Father can do – establish something out of nothing. In Genesis we see that God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-existing in the Trinity, was present before time began. He is our true Creator. Genesis 1, 2
2. Sin - Sin created separation between God and man. Before the fall when Adam and Eve had not yet disobeyed and sinned against God, they walked and talked with our Heavenly Father. Their minds were not clouded by lies and confusion. Adam and Eve were alive physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. After they chose to follow the evil lies of the serpent and went against God’s commands, sin entered the world and intimacy with God was broken. Instead of living in the fullness of life with their Creator, they hid from Him and the whole world was covered in sin. Genesis 3:4-7
3. Salvation - God is sovereign; He already knew what would happen with His creation and already had a beautiful plan for eternal life through Jesus in place for us. Genesis 3:15
4. Racism – Those who focus on skin color to identify race miss the point that God created and sees each of us as members of one human race. Each person is uniquely planned, formed, and made as His beautiful creation with purpose and love. Acts 17:26, Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 11:1-9
5. Sexuality and Identity – God created male and female, the only two sexes that are to be identified and accepted, per our Heavenly Father, the Creator of sexuality and identity. No matter what surgeries or medication might be completed, a body will never fully become another sex. Genesis 1:27
6. Marriage - God created one man and one woman to come together through a spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, legal, loving bond, and union. This basic, simple truth is the foundation for what our beliefs about same sex marriage should be. Genesis 2:23-25
7. Abortion – Each life is precious to God, who planned and formed every single person, unborn or born. No matter the circumstances under which a person came to be formed in the womb, they are known and loved by our Heavenly Father. Psalm 22:10, Psalm 49:15, Psalm 139:13-16
8. Love – Even in relationships that are not united in holy matrimony, such as dating, God ordained opposite, not same sex relationships. Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:25
9. Truth – Despite what society tries to push, truth is not relative. Without a strong moral compass following God’s truth, humans divert to selfishness, ambition, pride, deceit, idolatry, and wickedness. John 1:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 17:17, 1 John 1:6, Psalm 51:6, Psalm 119:142, Hebrews 4:12-13
10. Deceit – Satan is the father of lies. There is no truth in him. Anything that is in opposition to God’s word will harm us. Our loving Heavenly Father wants to protect and prosper us, if only we listen and obey. He will fill the true desires of your heart that He placed inside you when you were formed in the secret place. Beware of living apart from God’s commands. Live inside His desires and find true peace, life, joy, and love. So many people are being harmed by the morals and values our society has confused. John 10:10
It is up to each believer to spread the gospel and live a life that is in step with our Heavenly Father so that we reflect Him in the proper ways. Sinfulness, and disobedience have not made the beauty of Jesus evident or attractive to those who do not know Him. It won’t make Jesus known to our children, either.
I also believe that it is up to each of us to know and follow the will of God without condemning those who do not. I have nothing against those who chose to live a different lifestyle. I can still love them with a holy love from God, even if they do not believe or accept it because I may not agree with their choices based on what God’s word teaches. However, each of us (including me) have made many mistakes in our lifetime and have sinned more times than we can measure. Because some may live what God considers sin out in the open for all to see does not make them less loved. We all fall short of what God calls for us.
Please know if you are listening to this podcast episode and hearing something you are doing being identified as sin or you have lived some of the topics I mentioned, I am not judging you. You are loved. There is healing in and through Jesus when and if you desire. If you find your identity in Him and truly realize how much He treasures you and that there is forgiveness found through Him, He can totally transform your life. If you need information about living fullness of life through Him, please let me know. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you find freedom through Christ.
Listeners, remember to read and study the word of God. Each of us will grow more like the image of God and honor Him more and more clearly as we learn and obey what our Heavenly Father commands. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Dear Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father, You are so good. Thank you for Your patient, unending love. Even when we turn from You and follow our own ways, You are present, waiting for us to repent and turn to You. Thank you for giving us free will and loving us despite what we choose, yet still holding us accountable as You must. Father, prepare our heart and mind, help us to be sober-minded, as You call. Equip us to be obedient to You and help us to not conform to the passions of our own ignorance. Help us to be holy, as You are holy. May our love for You and our knowledge of You be so great and unyielding that we keep Your commandments with pleasure and never consider You to be a burden. Help us not to satisfy the desires of our heart, but Yours instead, dear Father. Help our bodies to be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You, despite what this world teaches or allows. May we seek to be transformed by Your renewal of our mind and carry the ability and desire to test and approve Your good, pleasing, perfect will and teach the values to our children that You desire. Carve out the immorality from this world and replace it with Your truths and morals, for we need You so much more than we realize. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you would like to hear more about the condition of our heart, the root of all issues, please listen to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast episode 001, Heart Conditions or episode 046, Maturing Character Like Christ.
If you pray for your child, please look for my free ebook, “Prayers for My Child,” available on the website under the “Resources” page and is designed to guide the heart of your child to the feet of Jesus through scripturally-based prayer.
The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is now available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raiseor influence connected children through Him.
God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, releasing doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations.
I pray this podcast helps you parent with purposeand deepen your connection to Jesus and your children as you intentionally place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship with Christ and your child that lasts for eternity.