I pose a question to the reader:
Is Satan actually interested in the childhood years? After all, children from birth to say six could not be any real threat to him and his forces of darkness. Or could they?
Scripture tells us that Timothy, while still young enough to have to be fed, dressed and carried, knew the Holy Scriptures (2Ti_3:15). He had an experiential knowledge of them; they meant something to him. Samuel's heart was already submissive at weaning when taken to the temple to serve God (1 Sam. 1). John the Baptist leaped in the womb at the presence of Jesus in Mary's womb.
It has been said, "Give me a child the first six years of his life and you can do what you will with him thereafter." It is during that short period that the bulk of a child's personality, character, habits and intellectual makeup is established.
The battle lines in the warfare for our children's souls are clear. God says, "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children" (Isa_54:13, NKJV)." Hopefully, someday soon, we will see "Women's Lib advocates and Ms. magazine editor Gloria Steinem, say, "raise our children to believe in God and their human potential."
Already born with an "I-want-what-I-want-when-I-want-it" nature, preschoolers are ripe to fall prey to a love for the world and all that is in it (1Jo_2:15-16).
Satan's snares are everywhere. Some may think I'm over reacting here but here is how the facts exist. The Saturday morning cartoon lineup is just one classic example. Constant scenes of violence and moral decadence purposefully desensitize impressionable minds. Hidden behind many of the seemingly cute and innocent cartoons are occult symbolisms. "Magic" lures them to eventually practice witchcraft. Youngsters, bombarded with appeals to materialism, plead, "Buy that for me, Daddy!" They can then vicariously "act out" cartoons and movies through similar toys.
Another please-meism snare are story books which convey that all of life is meant to be "fun, fun, fun." This attitude is further exemplified in shows like "Sesame Street" which teach that entertainment and education are inseparable. (Entertainment is Satan's counterfeit for joy.) Then there are Satan's whispers in parents' minds: "Play is a child's work. Let kids be kids! Their natures are innocent; they should be free to explore. Curriculum should be fun, according to the interests of each child and his experience."
Bit by bit, preschoolers can thus be taken captive because what they think upon, they will become (Pro_23:7).
Is Satan actually interested in the childhood years? After all, children from birth to say six could not be any real threat to him and his forces of darkness. Or could they?
Scripture tells us that Timothy, while still young enough to have to be fed, dressed and carried, knew the Holy Scriptures (2Ti_3:15). He had an experiential knowledge of them; they meant something to him. Samuel's heart was already submissive at weaning when taken to the temple to serve God (1 Sam. 1). John the Baptist leaped in the womb at the presence of Jesus in Mary's womb.
It has been said, "Give me a child the first six years of his life and you can do what you will with him thereafter." It is during that short period that the bulk of a child's personality, character, habits and intellectual makeup is established.
The battle lines in the warfare for our children's souls are clear. God says, "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children" (Isa_54:13, NKJV)." Hopefully, someday soon, we will see "Women's Lib advocates and Ms. magazine editor Gloria Steinem, say, "raise our children to believe in God and their human potential."
Already born with an "I-want-what-I-want-when-I-want-it" nature, preschoolers are ripe to fall prey to a love for the world and all that is in it (1Jo_2:15-16).
Satan's snares are everywhere. Some may think I'm over reacting here but here is how the facts exist. The Saturday morning cartoon lineup is just one classic example. Constant scenes of violence and moral decadence purposefully desensitize impressionable minds. Hidden behind many of the seemingly cute and innocent cartoons are occult symbolisms. "Magic" lures them to eventually practice witchcraft. Youngsters, bombarded with appeals to materialism, plead, "Buy that for me, Daddy!" They can then vicariously "act out" cartoons and movies through similar toys.
Another please-meism snare are story books which convey that all of life is meant to be "fun, fun, fun." This attitude is further exemplified in shows like "Sesame Street" which teach that entertainment and education are inseparable. (Entertainment is Satan's counterfeit for joy.) Then there are Satan's whispers in parents' minds: "Play is a child's work. Let kids be kids! Their natures are innocent; they should be free to explore. Curriculum should be fun, according to the interests of each child and his experience."
Bit by bit, preschoolers can thus be taken captive because what they think upon, they will become (Pro_23:7).
What can concerned parents do to prevent this from happening? We must stay alert to Satan's tactics and teach our children early how to put on the whole armor of God to withstand his attacks (Eph_6:10-12). This means actively, constantly and purposefully teaching them the love, discipline and understanding of God's Word. No time of day is exempt from this responsibility (Deu_6:4-9). Therefore, providing a God-centered, God-purposed education is also essential. In other words, every day should be consistent with Phi_4:8. The ultimate objective should be to rear our children to view the world as a spiritual battleground, not a playground! For then they will be truly equipped for every good work, thinking and living as mature Christians (2Ti_3:17).
Children can still have "fun" but it needs to be the type of "fun" that falls under God's approval and direction. The sooner they learn that all real joy and fun in life is truly from God, the safer from satan's influences.
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