Should we keep our daughter from certain books?

Children's entertainment has moved rapidly in the direction of electronics and computers, leaving books behind. Recently, however, reading has had a tremendous resurgence. Regardless of where your children find entertainment, though, you need to follow certain guidelines.

Parents need to be diligent about the things to which kids are exposed. Somebody is going to teach your daughter - make sure that it is you.

Proverbs 29:15 says, "A child left to himself brings shame to his mother."

Furthermore, Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall."
A child left to himself is destined for disaster.

What standard should be used to judge proper entertainment? God's Word is clear on this. Philippians 4:18 instructs us to think about things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy - because whatever you think, you become (Proverbs 23:7). The Bible is particularly firm with regard to witchcraft and sorcery (Deuteronomy 18:11, Leviticus 20:6, 27).

Finally, what do you think of your wife's judgment? Proverbs 31:10-11 warns a man to trust the heart of a virtuous wife.

Censorship, when it comes to your children, may not be easy, but it is proper, and it is God's mandate to parents.

Taken from Adrian Rogers' weekly newspaper column. Used by permission. 2001, The Commercial Appeal.