Ask Your Preacher - Archives
“Too Much, Too Soon”
Categories: CHILDREN, MEN & WOMEN, RELATIONSHIPSSometimes I feel like the harder I try to keep my thoughts and my actions pure, the harder the devil works to try to put road blocks in the way. I was raised in a christian home in which sex or any idea related to the naked human body was not discussed. I have tried to do a better job of preparing my children for what they will be faced with as adults, but I really don't want to expose them to too much. I guess that I'm finding that the relationship between a man and a woman doesn't seem to be a sacred relationship anymore. Even some of my best "christian" friends make jokes or comments that seem offensive to me even around my children. I guess my question: am I too uptight about this type of open discussion because of my upbringing, or is this type of banter something that we as christians should steer clear of?Sincerely,
Mother Hoverer
Dear Mother Hoverer,
You aren’t crazy; the world and culture that we live in doesn’t treat the male and female relationship with respect, and that culture has bled into the church. God warns christians against any sort of lewd jokes, crass language, or irreverent speech (Eph 4:29, Tit 2:7-8). Heb 13:4 says that we should all hold the marriage relationship in a place of honor. If anything that we say or do treats marriage as crass, common, or cheap – that is wrong. We can’t tell you exactly where the line is between humorous banter and crass joking… but it is there, and we need to avoid that line.
The second part of your question deals with raising children. You are wise to not expose your children to too much too quickly. God tells us to train up our children in the way they should go (Pr 22:6). Whenever you train someone, you start small and slowly introduce them to more complex issues as they learn. That is how God would have us treat children – someday they will have to face all of these issues themselves, but until they are ready, parents are to be the filter through which they are introduced to the ethics and issues of life.
