You probably have experienced not being able to get a song out of your head, or not being able to get an image out of your head. Everyone has this experience. I heard this line from a song by Soulja Boy and it got stuck on my head.

This right here is my pretty boy swag (ayee), Pretty boy swag (4x)

This is why your parents don't want you to listen to certain kinds of music or watch certain shows. Some of you may know the next parts of this song , the next words are too sexual for most people. However, the problem with this song, or any song, is usually deeper than the lyrics. I believe that some songs that do not have inappropriate lyrics can actually have a deeper problem.

Let me explain. People usually just look at the language and see if it is appropriate. I advice you to be discerning. When you listen to music, or watch TV, I advice you to think of these questions, not just look to your parent's approval.

1) Is it in line with the gospel? Whitney Houston's song "The greatest love of all" is inspirational for many people. However, it teaches that love for self is the greatest love of all. If Jesus is our paradigm for how a person should be, his followers cannot glorify self-love. The greatest love is shown on the cross, with Jesus giving his life for many. Granted, Jesus' desire is to give his life so in a sense he is loving himself by dying on the cross. However, unlike we humans who are naturally prideful, Jesus is humble. His joy is to give up himself for others so they can live. A prideful person loving himself would look like self-glorification, not going to the cross and giving up his life for the benefit of others, which is truly the greatest love of all. 

2) Is this awakening pride or any sinful tendencies? Think about the first song, it is basically saying, "look at me, if you are this cool, you can have the girls all over you (awakens both pride at attracting girls and the sexual impulse). God's ideal is one man dedicating himself to one woman and offering his sexuallity only to that woman.

Developing discernment is more effective than censorship at home. Children will always be exposed to sounds and images, and parents can't stop it. Parents must go beyond the language or the image, and learn to talk deeply about what their children hear and see. Parents must warn their children that awakening those parts of themselfves that are sinful or inappropriate at the moment will make it easier for them to fall into sin and therefore destroy their lives. This calls for parents to really know the gospel and impart Godly wisdom. Children, know the gospel and live wisely. 

     One of the questions that children, and even adults in school ask is "why do I have to study this?" I have reflected on this question in light of the growth in character that God wants from us and our children. There are two character issues involved.

1. Growth in cooperation. The state has decided that some things need to be learned by its citizens (standards of education). God also calls us to respect the authority of the state. The attitude of being against authority is not encouraged in God's word. What seems to be encouraged is an attitude of cooperation with authority (parents, government, teachers). To cooperate means to work with instead of working against. Authority is placed by God so we can have a more peaceful and orderly society. Standards create order and order is important to God.

2. Growth in industry. Education, both physical and academic, builds up our bodies and minds. Growth comes through hard work, even though we may have talents that God gave us. Hard work develops our bodies and minds so we could reach our potential. Working on a math problem develops the mind and makes it as powerful as God designed it to be. God created humans to subdue creation so it can be used for the benefit of mankind, not just for individuals. That mind and body that God gave you must be developed so it can be used for the benefit of mankind.