Dwight Bain is quite an
interesting person. This summary will continue to focus on Bain and his
life-coach style of counseling. The article used for this paper is titled "Dangers
of Media Riptides, Positive steps to protect kids from negative media exposure."
This article represents good information and provides for a good analogy for
how to handle sinful behavior within the family.
Bain (2008), in this article, discusses how parents might
manage the deluge of media from all directions that are part of our daily life.
He begins by offering ways to handle dangerous situations. Bain then offers
some background information concerning the prevalence of intrusive media today,
and he closes the article with some practical ways to address the situation.
In discussing how to handle offensive media when it
involves the family, and more specifically children, Bain uses three options.
First, stay away from media, and try to keep others away as well. Second,
pretend dangerous media does not exist. Finally, learn how to control
offensive, and even non-offensive media within the household. In Romans Paul
writes about how we become enslaved to whatever we let control our lives,
Do
you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for
obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in
death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that
though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form
of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you
became slaves of righteousness.
Romans
6:16-18 (NASB)
There is a similarity
to Bain's idea of avoiding media altogether, and keeping the children away from
it as well. While this is a noble idea as well as a logical idea, it is not
always an easy idea to follow. Most people are prone to look for an easier way
to handle tough situations than to remain firm their conviction to consciously
not engage in behavior that could lead to sin. This is where pretending the dangers
(sin in our life) does not exist model quickly becomes the odds on favorite.
Pretending sin is not present is, in my opinion, the reason for so much of the
depraved behavior that goes on among teens today. Their parents simply turn a
blind eye, or as I have heard some say, "they are just being kids and are
going to behave like this not matter what we say." This point of view is
so very sad indeed. Avoidance is rarely an appropriate response to any
life-challenge. Proactive response to issues in life, more often than not,
produce positive results. Therefore, becoming familiar with and learning to
control the sin inducing stimulus is probably the best way to handle issues
that can introduce sin into our lives. Jesus said, "Behold, I send you out
as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as
doves" (Matthew 10:16, NASB). This means we have a responsibility to be
proactive and know what types of things in our lives can cause us to sin, and
this relates specifically to the issue of the article which is how we should
handle the overwhelming influx of media in our lives.
This article can be extremely valuable to new parents,
long-term parents, and grandparents in helping them understand how media can
creep into our lives and take control. It can also help them understand how to
become proactive in their approach to handling the media blitz. Like Bain, I
love what the writer of Proverbs tells us to do when we are possibly entering
territory that might present things that could cause us to stumble, "Do
not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid
it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on" (Proverbs 4:14-15,
NASB). If an activity is not conducive to spiritual or relational growth, avoid
it entirely. Specifically, in relation to children, we have a responsibility to shield them from
issues that can induce sinful behavior, " He who withholds
his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently"
(Proverbs 13:24, NASB). This is not a mandate to beat the kids. The verse also
contains the idea (in the original language) that disciplining a child is a
good thing, and it is also not something a parent does post behavioral problem.
If a child desires to engage in activity that can lead to sinful behavior,
using proper disciple to shape way the child desires is an entirely Biblical
response. Bain (2008) says parents should choose what media reaches their
children, and he is 100% Biblically correct.
To sum everything up I believe this section of scripture
can act as the capstone of what Bain is teaching in his article, " Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor
of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the
devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11, NASB). As parents, even just as adults, we
should be proactive in our approach to ward off those things that enter into
our lives and can cause us to stumble. The Apostle Paul says to put on the
armor of God and be ready for trouble to come because it is inevitable. Not
being prepared will only lead to grief and regret. So, as Bain writes, take
positive action to avoid negative behavior and become, with God's help, the
controller of temptations.
References
Bain, D. (2008, December 18). Relationships.
Retrieved July 2, 2012, from Self Growth:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Protecting_Kids_from_Dangerous_Media.html
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