What a huge task! To guard our children, spirit, soul and body, so that there is no loss or injury from the enemy of their souls! We naturally protect our children from physical danger, but oh how much more should we protect them from spiritual danger!
WHAT SHOULD WE WATCH FOR?
We should watch what they see on TV. We should watch what they listen to—what CDs, tapes, and radio stations. We should check everything they read. We cannot be too careful. We should especially watch over their friends. As they get older, their friends will have a big influence upon their lives. It is most important that we guide and guard their friendships. I raised my children on this scripture:
Proverbs 13:20, “He that walks with wise men will be wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed.”
I believe that this is one of the most important areas of protection. You can be the greatest parent, you can diligently teach your children the ways of God, you can pray for them—but if your children get into the wrong company, all your godly influence will go down the drain. Peer pressure is powerful. We must guide them into the right friendships for life.
I was blessed to have a Watch Dog for a mother. She kept strict guard over what I saw and what I read. She checked all books and literature that came into our home. I am glad she was such a faithful Watch Dog because when I was older, I didn’t have evil thought patterns plaguing my mind.
THE CHALLENGE
Song of Solomon 1:6 “They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.”
O what a challenge! We can so easily get caught up in busyness. We can even get caught up in the service of the Lord. But if we are looking after other vineyards and not keeping our own vineyard, we are not pleasing God. Your greatest service for God is right in your home. You must tend to your own vineyard and make sure that it is watered, cultivated and protected, before reaching out to other vineyards!
Did you notice that this scripture says, “They made me…”? Oh how easy it is to let others cajole us into doing things, or we feel pressure from the church to be involved in this and that. We must watch that others do not make us do things that will hinder us from tending to our own vineyard first. Don’t get into the deception of working in other vineyards and leave your own vineyard unprotected.