Filter Out The Noise
by Amy Diller
As I write, my husband and I are preparing for a vacation in the Rocky Mountains. We’ve been reading about what we’ll need to have with us while hiking, and hydration falls at the top of the list – more than what we are able to comfortably haul around in our backpacks.
Numerous sources recommend carrying a water filtration device so you can fill up in streams along the way and drink the water safely. We found a straw that removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.999% of waterborne parasites from 1,000 gallons of water. Needless to say, we will enjoy clean water for many trips to come.
This hiking essential is a great picture of one of our most important roles as parents – to be a filter for our children. There are endless sources of information and influence vying for position in the hearts and minds of our precious ones. While many voices offer rich, wisdom-filled instruction, others are far from life-giving. It’s our job to filter out the noise that tries to pull our kids away from God’s truth as we surround them with other voices that teach them to follow Jesus.
As a spiritual filter for your children, it is your responsibility to…
Carefully consider what you allow in your home. This includes video games, music, shows, movies, and online content that you consume and allow them to consume. In a recent sermon, our pastor noted that children pick up on far more than we think they do, and I wholeheartedly agree. Things that we think go over their heads often don’t. While they don’t have the understanding to fully process some of what they see and hear, the messages do stick with them. Tablets, phones, computers, and television should always be used with supervision. Listen to song lyrics and be aware of musicians’ lifestyles. Preview what they watch and read. You can find reviews of all kinds of media sources on sites like https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ or https://www.pluggedin.com/.
Have important conversations early and often. Certain topics, like puberty, sex, LGBTQ issues, abuse, or divorce, can be difficult to talk about with children, and it’s easy to gloss over or delay conversations until they’re older. Here’s the thing: kids are going to hear about these topics at some point, and it’s likely to happen much earlier than we think or hope. There are many resources available to help guide you through tough conversations and give you pointers for age-appropriate explanations. The book Talk Now and Later: How to Lead Kids Through Life’s Tough Topics by Brian Dollar is a helpful guide. Instilling your family values in your children’s lives before culture does is vital. Your voice in these areas needs to be the one that your child hears first and most often so they can measure others against the truth you’ve established with them.
Surround your children with godly influence. As a parent, you are positioned as the most important teacher and example for your children of what it means to be a follower of God. No other voice carries as much weight as your own. Help your children see what it looks like to listen to His voice and turn to Him as the source of all wisdom and truth. The primary way we hear from God is through His Word. Spend time reading and memorizing scripture with your kids. The more they know what the Bible says, the better able they are to hear His voice, especially when other voices are fighting for their attention. Seek others who follow Jesus to speak into your children’s lives, reinforcing the faith and values you are teaching and modeling. These people can be extended family, church leaders and volunteers, and close family friends of all ages and stages of life. There’s no such thing as a child having too many godly voices surrounding them!
We will never be able to completely separate our children from outside voices that don’t align with our faith. In fact, Jesus calls us all to be a light in the darkness. However, we can equip our kids to live a life that glorifies God and points to His truth as they listen to Him and to the godly influences around them. It is our responsibility to filter out the noise for our children from the things and people that are not life-giving and to provide them with sources of spiritual influence that help them build a solid foundation in Christ.