--I Corinthians 16:13.

Much of the damage that we spend our adult years trying to recover from, came upon us while we were children. When a predatory animal such as a lion attacks a herd, he doesn't attack the strongest; but the weakest, slowest, often youngest animal. Satan is no different. "Be careful--watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart."--I Peter 5:8. His job is made even easier when one has been separated from the herd. "Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near."--Hebrews 10:25.

As parents, it is our duty to raise up a standard of protection around our children. Protection does not seem to be automatic, or we would not be instructed to put on our armor. We cannot protect our children if we are not protected. "Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God's approval (righteousness). Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit."--Ephesians 6:11, 13-17.

How does one actually put on this armor? I believe it is through obedience and prayer. If you are in the Word daily, praying, believing the Word, living righteously and sharing your faith with others, you should have all your bases covered. When I am weak, I pray and ask the Father to put my armor on for me.

TRAINING

Walter Mueller quotes Pollster George Barana in Better Families when he reports that three-quarters of all adults and teens reject the notion of absolute truth in favor of an approach that is personal and situational. Four out of five teens believe nobody can know for certain what truth is. So we shouldn't be surprised when more than half of all high school and college students cheat, 34 percent of college students would steal from their employer, and fathers defend their children's criminal acts as "normal."

OUR LEADERS

When a Los Angeles city Councilman, an anti-drug crusader, was arrested for a $150 a day cocaine habit, many of his constituents continued to support him. Furthermore, when it was revealed that he had cocaine, marijuana and over 600 articles of pornography in his council office, one businessman dismissed the actions when he commented, "For me, he made a mistake--this is the only mistake he made." The councilman refused to resign because of his illegal activities, but admits to being an alcoholic. He has however apologized to any he may have hurt by his "illness."

OUR TEENS

A study of teenage sexuality found no difference between the numbers of teens who had pre-martial sex and the numbers of Christian teens who had pre-martial sex. The numbers were the same right down the line. Folks this should not be! We are called to be salt and light to this world. Haven't we taught our children? Or did we expect the Sunday school or public school to do it? "And you must think constantly about these commandments I am giving you today. You must teach them to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bedtime and first thing in the morning."--Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

Another excerpt from Better Families by Allan Petersen, "I read a quote from a Christian ministry couple that concerned me greatly. They said, 'When we first started in ministry we felt if we were sold out to God, did His will and gave everything we had to the ministry that the Lord would watch over our children and fill their needs.' Not so, many sincere Christians have made this mistake and expected God to do what He has not promised to do." Children become victims rather than victors when parents are so wrapped up in the church that they don't carry their walk into the home. This is why we are instructed to, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."--Proverbs 22:6. "All that is now hidden will someday come to light. If you have ears, listen! And be sure to put into practice what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand what I tell you. To him who has shall be given; from him who has not shall be taken away even what he has."--Mark 4:22-25. In other words, use it or lose it!

RESPONSIBILITY

As parents we must know what our children are involved in. Even as young as the Jr. High grades, Dungeons and Dragons is offered as a school-sponsored club in many districts. Dungeons and Dragons is a role-playing fantasy game that most definitely involves the demonic. Research has shown that 44% of kids who play it or other fantasy role-playing games admit to having compulsive thoughts to kill. Let me repeat that, that's 44% of participants, KIDS, will admit to compulsive thoughts to KILL. Most major bookstores stock more than twice the amount of occult and fantasy items than Christian items, and the numbers are growing rapidly. This stuff is highly available and horror stories about church youth leaders who are Grand Masters (game leaders) for the children of unsuspecting Christian parents abound. Do some research, go stand on one of these aisles in a bookstore. I don't recommend reading or touching any of this stuff, but feel the darkness that exudes from the ugly figures of the twisted, evil characters. Don't forget to pray that God will protect you with the blood of Jesus as you stand there. Don't stay too long, a minute is enough to get the idea. It is imperative that we not be ignorant of the tools that the enemy may use to try to steal our children. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."--Matthew 10:16. End Sample

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