3 Ways To Protect Your Family Social Pressures

As the leaders of our family, we have a great responsibility to protect our loved ones. We need to be intentional about what we let come into our homes! What we hear and see influences the way we think and view the world around us.

Popular culture makes you feel like you’re in the minority if you’re not endorsing sexual promiscuity, listening to explicit music, playing the latest M rated video games, watching provocative shows, going to bars, etc. I don’t have kids yet but I want to build a house that serves the Lord.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

So how can we protect our loved ones without sheltering them too much? Below are 3 ways to begin protecting our families from social pressures.

1. Our eyes and ears are the doors to our souls.

Don’t let anything just walk in and take up residence in yourself or your loved ones. I’m not saying to be extreme and quit watching your TV or throw away your smartphones. We simply need to be aware of what we are allowing in and out of our home.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s harmless to watch or listen to any media that glorifies explicit language, disrespect, cheating, scandals, lies, murder, sexual promiscuity, etc. Young impressionable kids soak up the world around them like a sponge. And don’t think that things don’t affect you because they do.

We will stand before God for what we allow and don't allow in our house.Click To Tweet

You are the gatekeeper of your household. Pay attention to what your kids are seeing and hearing. You have the power to allow or disallow things in your house.

2. Don’t be ignorant of the fact that other people are influencing your kids.

Online entertainment is more popular and sought out now more than ever before in history. Video games and social media are blowing up online. The next generation is especially seeking out online entertainment at venues such as Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, blogs, etc.

So what can you do to protect them? Check out the video games your kids are playing, the apps they download, and who they are looking up to on social media. Encourage them in the right direction.

3. Open Communication is key in families.

Too many Christian families aren’t open enough about what is good versus evil. Anytime we listen to music, see advertisements, or look at social media, we are being bombarded with sensuality, selfishness, and the glorifying of sin. We need to be open and communicate about what’s wrong versus right.

Simply saying “_______ is wrong so don’t do it” isn’t enough, especially as kids grow older. Explain why and ask them if they understand. We need to share the truth about how sin promises to satisfy but never will.

God gives us rules, if you will, to live by and protect us, not to take away our fun. The truth is that sin will eventually destroy our lives if we keep running to it.

Be approachable instead of acting shocked by everything. Be transparent and honest about your past struggles if it applies to the situation. Let your kids know they are NOT alone and are loved by you.

Whether you’re a parent or not, you can help influence your family for the better. Let’s stand strong together and not be fooled by pop culture. The definition of sin hasn’t changed and will never change. Will you join me in protecting our families?!

 

A Prayer For You

Lord Jesus, please show me how to lead and protect my family. Give me discernment on how to put up boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not. Guard our thoughts, eyes, ears, and hands against doing evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I’ll be talking about what’s happening to family structure next week!

Stay hopeful!