Two Opposing Value Systems – We and our children need to discern.

Spiritual warfare takes place in the media, workplace, and education systems. It also takes place in the human heart. Every decision we make, everything we find attractive, and everything we do, say, or think, is governed by the principles of one value system or the other. The Bible calls it a battle of two kingdoms, light versus darkness, or spirit versus flesh. We used to be able to say simplistic statements like, “television is bad,” and, “books are good.” These statements don’t work anymore to young people who can be as articulate and perceptive as their parents, are more up to date with technology, but don’t yet have the wisdom which comes with experience and responsibilities. Communication and entertainment technology has rapidly changed, multiplied, and infiltrated our lives to the extent that young people need more than simplistic statements. They need to be trained to recognise underlying values and principles and, with God’s grace, to make appropriate choices.

1) Values which defile us, and are at enmity with God.

²⁰ And he (the Lord Jesus) said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: Mark 7:20-22

2) Values which are the fruits of the Spirit, and for the glory of God and the good of His Kingdom.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal 5:22-23

Young people need to be trained to consider these two value systems and to be able to answer questions like the following:

1) What are the underlying values in the music, reading material, movie, or other entertainments I am involved with?
2) What is my real motive for choices in careers, education, friendships, recreation, sports, etc?
3) What motives does an advertisement or political speech, etc, appeal to?
4) What emotions become stirred within me as a response to a given activity or conversation?

We then, hope and pray, that the young people may be able to discern between these value systems, and, with God’s grace to make choices appropriately.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph 4:29