When our internet filter flagged pornographic
content, I went to my teenage son. He threw his
hands up, promising he had not been the one,
and asked us to look at the sites that had been
visited. I became curious at that point because
we have our parameters set tightly.
I soon saw the progression. What had started
as my daughter enjoying a fan story of a heroic
cat led her to encounter a full-blown rape scene.
When approached, my daughter admitted that
the content seemed bad but that most of it was
over her head and “weird.” I nearly threw up
when I read the title; someone had lured in kids
with the promise of a new story about cats and
had introduced violence and perversion.
This is the world we live in, and it is both terrifying
and infuriating. It is imperative that we have
frank talks with our kids about the dangers of
pornography and sex trafficking. Furthermore,
we need to tell them that no matter how alluring
or safe it may seem to participate in a sexual
encounter outside of marriage, there will be
consequences that Hollywood just does not
depict.
4. Temptations do not define us.
Staring down opportunities to sin is part of living.
The question is not if our children will be tempted
but when they will be tempted and how they will
respond.
Tell your child:
• Temptation comes with being human; it’s what
you do when you are tempted that matters. Run
to Jesus for mercy, grace, and help.
• Temptations can seize you, and there are some
you cannot fight on your own. That is why you
need to live in right relationship with the Holy
Spirit and seek the help of your parents and
friends.
• There is no temptation nor urge Jesus can’t
relate to and through which He can’t help you
find a way. (1Cor. 10:13)
• Your parents want to be your allies, and you can
go to them with anything.
Then practice your “I’m not surprised” face. We
want our kids to run to us with their temptations
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