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How to Guide Your Children



"For though we live in the body [flesh], we do not wage war in an unspiritual way [war according to flesh], since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly [fleshly], but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Christian young people have asked me what specific things they can do to stay pure in a culture such as ours. I suggest 3 things:

• First, watch the crowd they hang out with. Choose their friends wisely:

"The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm." ~ Proverbs 13:20

• Second, guard what they put into their minds from books, movies, and music:

"I will not set anything worthless before my eyes. I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me." ~ Psalm 101:3

"Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet?" ~ Proverbs 6:27-28

• Lastly, control their thought life:

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things." ~ Philippians 4:8

Proverb 23:7 tells us, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” What we dwell on in our minds is what we’re going to act upon.

Someone has well said, “We cannot keep the birds from flying over our heads, but we can keep them from making a nest in our hair."


Beyond these three, there’s more I urge you to share with your child:

• Walk with God every day as you never have before:

"Your eyes will see your Teacher, and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” ~ Isaiah 30:21

• Guard your heart:

"Guard your heart with all diligence, for it is the source of life." ~ Proverbs 4:23

"But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God." ~ Ephesians 5:3-5

• Make a covenant with your eyes:

"I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I look at a young woman (in lust)?" ~ Job 31:1

• Set a guard over your lips:

"Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips." ~ Psalm 141:3

You might consider putting together a reward plan for your children to memorize the above verses so they become a conscious part of every decision. Here’s a good verse to start with:

“I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.” ~ Psalm 119:11

It’s so important to memorize verses while they’re young. One of the linchpin verses for every young person to memorize is Philippians 4:8 — “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.”

~ excerpt from: Love Worth Finding, with Pastor Adrian Rogers