Take a moment to walk with the average young person to see what he might encounter during a typical day. As he visits his Internet homepage, his eyes are assaulted with images of half-dressed celebrities, parading the sin of an independent, immoral lifestyle.
The DJ from the local radio station accompanies him on the way to school. It's usually someone with a crass sense of humor, filling his mind with contemporary lyrics that promote the way of folly. Along the road, he's exposed to billboards and advertising designed to arouse lust and create discontentment. Any time he spends with the world's entertainment portrays a very realistic form of make-believe. The typical television programs and movies glorify the mysterious and exhilarating life of the rebel--he's defiant and witty, violent and sexual, rich and playful...and utterly godless (but never mind the consequences).

Get the picture? Before many teenagers arrive at school, their minds are already pondering the messages of all the images they've seen and the voices they've heard. And that's before eight or more hours of teachers and peer influence. It's a daily exercise in mind pollution.

Yet millions in society--especially among those in control of the entertainment media--glory in the evil.

Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

few questions to discuss in the comment thread:

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  Can any of you attest to the consequences--either good or bad--of how you obeyed (or disobeyed) your parents? How have you found God's Word to speak the truth in this matter?

  
  


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  Children growing up today face a very different world than their parents experienced. Children, what influences and pressures do you face from the culture that you find difficult to resist?

  
  


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  Parents, how can you minimize the influence of the culture on your children, and maximize the influence of God's Word?--

  
  

by John MacArthur