It always sounds good in the beginning, doesn’t it? I’m sure the desire to know good and evil was appealing to Eve and Adam, in the garden, as well. As always, however, we must examine and evaluate before we adopt an attitude of agreement.
Let’s briefly examine the problem, make a realization, and look at the solution.
In 1 John 5:21, it is written, Little children, guard yourselves from idols. Too many have allowed the technology of today’s world to become the babysitters of their children. Too often our children sit in rooms, devoid of living adult role models, save the ones they see on TV and listen to in their earbuds.
Too often our children “worship” the people, the programs, the action, the drama, the beat, the cause, the label, the industry, the fad, the drum, the glamour, the catwalk, the look, the beauty, the success, the scent, the lure, the feel, the fashion, the hype, the language, the humor, the points, the enticement, the competition, the suspense, the skin, the sound, the taste, the spice, and the radical commercialism of today’s multi-media society.
Over 20% of the professional athletes in our country have criminal backgrounds. Hollywood overwhelmingly supports and openly promotes homosexuality, carnage, and drug abuse. Today’s entertainment industry supports gambling as a glamorous lifestyle, drinking as a prerequisite to “normalcy”, and extramarital sex as a necessity of life.
When you think about it, the placement of our children amongst such a message is exactly the opposite of raising them in the nurture and admonition of God. It is not a good idea to allow computers or any other of the modern media to raise our children! Yet so many among us don’t give it a second thought.
When your children listen and watch certain “artists” and influencers, are they brought closer to the Lord? If your children watch the awarded TV sitcoms of our day, are their morals and Godly principles reinforced?
Let’s read, beginning in verse 18 of 1 John 5: "We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."
Our computer may know more than we; the television is a true marvel of physics; that streaming service is packed with amazing amounts of information and imagery; but it is God we worship and Him alone. Do not forget the simple, straightforward warning of John in the last verse of his first letter: "Little children, guard yourselves from idols."
Perhaps you have allowed the idols of the world to occupy a great amount of your time; you know you need to respond to the invitation of Christ: turn away from idols and return to the church with a repentant heart. 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 14 says this: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. It is possible for you to overcome the temptations to which you have fallen victim."