We are in a war for the
hearts and minds of
our children. Spending
too much time on
the computer is not
preparing us for this
ongoing battle.
around websites as a means to fight
boredom or an escape from stress. Unfortunately, web surfing will lead to unsavory sites. For some, these sites have a
mesmerizing pull that keeps the viewer
coming back again and again. To guard
your family against this, I strongly recommend that computers be used only
in common areas, never in children’s
bedrooms, and always filtered. Use a site
like
www.covenanteyes.com (Covenant
Eyes) before this becomes a problem in
your home.
Idea Overload
I know one mother mentioned on Facebook that she let her kids watch TV and
movies while she surfed around for most
of the day looking for projects and fun
things to for arts and crafts. Four months
later, she has not implemented any of the
wonderful ideas she gleaned while she
was online. Her time would have been
much better spent playing board games
or finger painting than to let her children
spend a day glued to the screen while she
was too. This reminds me of the verse
in 2 Timothy 2:4: “No one engaged in
warfare entangles himself with the affairs
of this life, that he may please him who
enlisted him as a soldier” (NKJV). We are
in a war for the hearts and minds of our
children. Spending too much time on the
computer is not preparing us for this ongoing battle.
Discontent With Life
“Let your conduct be without covetous-ness; be content with such things as you
have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ ” (Hebrews
13: 5, NKJV).
When we are online, we imagine that
others are wealthier, more organized,
more together, their husbands are better, and their children are better behaved.
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
When we waste energy being discontent,
we are forgetting that the Lord gives us
our portion daily—and no one else’s.
Online Drama
“Moreover if your brother sins against
you, go and tell him his fault between you
and him alone. If he hears you, you have
gained your brother. But if he will not hear,
take with you one or two more, that ‘by
the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may be established.’ And if he refuses
to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he
refuses even to hear the church, let him be
to you like a heathen and a tax collector”
(Matthew 18: 15–18, NKJV).
It takes just a second to post an unkind comment about a company, a
church, a family member, or a political
candidate. These comments are damaging and demeaning but occur even
among Christians. It is also easy to blast
off a rude email to someone in an on-line group, but if you met the person
face to face you would never venture
to say such rude things. Disagreements
are best handled in person and in private. There is no place online for venting
about others—this will never lead to a
peaceful resolution.
The Internet and computers are not
evil in and of themselves, but they can
certainly cause damage, both minor and
major damage, in a family. Take seriously
your role as the guardian of your home
and your children’s hearts. Use the tools
created to do so, and stand firm, even
when it seems like no one else does. You
and your husband are solely responsible
for the children in your care.
Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan,
thankful mother to five children (newborn
to 21), and an author, conference speaker
and director of www.homemaking911
.com and
www.wheatnthings.com.
Take seriously your
role as the guardian of
your home and your
children’s hearts.
