Spring-clean Your Brain

Memory Gem: “So put all evil things out of your life. Get rid of sexual immorality and impure acts. Don’t let your feelings get out of control” (Colossians 3:5, ICB).

Dad and Mom were just getting the family together for evening worship when they noticed that Raymond was still at his computer.

“Ray, don’t you know what time it is?” asked Mom impatiently. “We’re all waiting for you.”

“OK, OK, I’m coming,” Ray said.

When family worship was over, Dad asked the children to remain behind; he had something important to say.

“What’s the problem, Ray? I see you’re spending a lot of time on your computer,” Dad asked his teenage son.

“Maybe he’s watching those naked girls,” remarked little sister Joni. “That’s why our teachers are warning us about the danger of porn!”

“OK, Ray and Joni, let’s talk about this, so you’ll understand what it is, and why it’s not good for us,” explained Dad.

“Do you know what pornography is?” Dad asked solemnly as both the children shook their heads.

“Pornography is pictures or movies of people with little or no clothes on. They show people doing things that should only be done in private,” Dad continued. “These people do these things to make money.”

“That’s so shameful,” said Joni.

“Do you know why it’s dangerous for children?” Dad continued. “Because it doesn’t represent real love or intimacy. It treats women and men as objects. If you keep watching such pictures, you get addicted to it, like a drug.”

“I didn’t know it was that dangerous, Dad,” Ray said. “I thought it was just a few pictures.”

“Do you know that Paul advised us that we should think on things that are good, pure, true, beautiful, and respected?” Dad reminded the children (Philippians 4:8). “But the devil is out to tempt everyone, including children, to spend time on impure things.”

“Thanks for telling us, Dad. Please pray for us to be strong enough to turn away from impure pictures,” said Ray.

DIVE IN DEEP

• Study Mark 9:47. Did Jesus really mean that we should pluck out an eye if it causes us to watch impure pictures? What was He really saying about how to live our lives?

• What are some temptations related to sexuality that you face? How can you deal with them to live as a victorious Christian?

LIVE IT OUT

• Give a speech or write an essay to present to your classmates about the dangers of watching pornography (work with your teacher on this).

• Borrow some good books that teach about healthy Christian sexuality and read them. Identify how these books help to answer your questions about sexuality. Discuss this with your parents.