New Church Life July/Aug 2013 | Page 55

    One of the strongest defenses, perhaps the strongest, is our own example. There is a strong temptation to think that we adults are able to handle these things, though of course we must protect the children from exposure to them. . . . To be effective parents, we have to face up to the evil ourselves, not just to set an example – although that is important – but rather to keep ourselves from falling prey to it. is all around us, we must remember that what we are trying to defend is holy ground. One of the strongest defenses, perhaps the strongest, is our own example. There is a strong temptation to think that we adults are able to handle these things, though of course we must protect the children from exposure to them. Being adult does not automatically mean that it is OK for us to watch R-rated movies. To be effective parents, we have to face up to the evil ourselves, not just to set an example – although that is important – but rather to keep ourselves from falling prey to it. The Lord provides in the doctrine of repentance a step-by-step process for combating evil: know evils, see them in oneself, acknowledge them, declare oneself guilty, condemn oneself on their account, pray to the Lord for forgiveness, desist from them, and lead a new life. (See New Jerusalem and the Heavenly Doctrine 160-1) Applying these steps to pornography: We need to know that it is evil. We need to recognize that at least some of these images are in us, stamped upon our memories. We need to look at them and acknowledge them for what they are and their possible effect on us, as well as on those we love. Then we need to take responsibility for their being there. Insofar as we could have turned away we are guilty. At the same time we need to remember that the hells delight in calling up past evils and making us feel there is nothing we can do about them. (See Arcana Coelestia 741) We can do something about 383