Every day, teens encounter voices from friends, family, school, and society, all clamoring to be heard. These voices offer worldly wisdom, new ideas, arguments, and concepts by rationalizing things as acceptable, but which are contrary to God’s word. It serves to confuse their thoughts and minds with disdainful philosophies, thoughts, and actions.
The spiritual realm is real. Helping teens understand spiritual warfare is vital because spiritual conflict and teenagers are real battles faced every day. Teaching teens about the unseen realm helps them see that we need to understand what is happening in the unseen realm because, while the material world is evident, it is the unseen realm that shapes life in this reality.
Scripture teaches of the spiritual realm. Spirit beings populate it: God, the devil (Satan), holy and unholy angels, and spirit creatures. These spirit beings are incorporeal. While unseen, they interact with our world, influencing mankind against God.
Satan hates God, his mercy, forgiveness, and the love God gives his extended family on earth—humankind. Satan and his angels will be planning and deceiving humankind right to the very end. These dark influencers may use music, marketing, movies, and literature to present alternative ideologies. Protecting teens from dark influences requires wisdom, prayer, and a firm grounding in Scripture.
The fallen spirits dislike us because we are God’s imagers. These dark influencers have an agenda.
The fallen want to destroy humankind. Genesis 2 says God created man and woman and breathed into them the breath of life, giving each of us an eternal spirit made in the image of God. Satan didn’t like that and deceived Adam and Eve. In disobedience to God, they sinned. Now, we inherit a sin nature that makes us rebellious toward God.
To resist these agendas, our teens need to be grounded. Scripture is the word of God. It will clarify the world around them and change their lives as they develop a Biblical worldview for teens. A biblical worldview acknowledges two principles: 1) God exists. 2) The Bible is God’s word.
The Bible must be the go-to source for truth. It is the lens through which we view the world to understand what is going on. It will simplify social and moral consensuses by weighing them against God’s word to define right and wrong.
Scripture says God has written his law on our hearts. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, and their conscience also bears witness. (Romans 2:15 ESV) We need to build biblical understanding by spending time together in the Word so the Holy Spirit has resources to recall as needed. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NIV)
Christian parenting for teenagers must include this kind of intentional discipleship. Connect with your teens. Let your faith be real life.
Spend time with your teens, whether in a family group or one-on-one; time with them is critical for them to know you are listening. Address their concerns with compassion and understanding. Words of affirmation help to build confidence. Let no one look down on your youthfulness but show yourself as a model to those who believe in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity. (1 Tim 4:12 LSB)
Engage with them over a favorite activity or read a book together, then discuss it. Incorporate scripture as it pertains to the topic. It helps to build the worldview. It is also important for your teen to see you are familiar with scripture. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15 LSB)
Enjoy a special family outing and include their friends. Build lasting relationships with them over stimulating activities. Connection with your teen will build opportunities to practice the word of God and develop life skills. Quality time together will build lasting memories.
Dark agendas make the world darker. But knowing God and his word sheds light on reality. It’s like when someone turns on a light, the dark is gone, but if they have never seen the light, they did not know they were in darkness until they saw the light. Jesus is the light. When someone receives the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will comfort, strengthen, and teach them in their spirit.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)
