Your Child and the New Age

Chapter 12

How can parents teach children to choose good toys and games?

 

 

 

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"Toys should reinforce, not contradict, the positive values we are trying to instill."

 Phil Phillips, Turmoil In the Toybox

When eight-year-old Joshua’s parents found out what wanted for Christmas, they felt put on the spot. Joshua had eyes only for the newest rage – Nintendo - along with its most popular game, Super Mario Brothers II. Anything else was "boring."

Joshua's folks had heard disturbing stories about Nintendo addiction-or whatever you call that intense focus that tolerates no interruption. So they didn't relish battling that obsession at bedtime-or any time. A rather pricey toy, Nintendo promised to zap a sizable hole in their budget, and the local stores had already sold out their allotment of SMB II.

Last year it was simple for Mom and Dad. Joshua just wanted more figures and accessories for the Masters of the Universe. The cost was tolerable, and they provided a year's worth of imaginative play. Of course, the gruesomeness of some of the figures caused them uneasiness.

Heidi's parents faced a similar dilemma. Their six-year-old daughter asked for Barbie's Dream House - fully furnished, of course - and a Maxie spa and patio furniture. "They fit together," she explained, "and everybody has them."

Barbie's long-time popularity fails to endear her to Heidi's concerned parents. They often wonder if the doll’s curvy figure and flashy clothes might encourage values and sophistication inconsistent with their hopes for Heidi. What kinds of aspirations are built by these symbols of self-centered materialism?

If Barbie were the only messenger of hedonistic self-interest, a few more accessories would hardly matter. But pagan decadence beckons children everywhere. "Just lead the way. Follow your feelings."

It’s tough to teach restraint to children who are begging for gratification. Schools and the media have often declared parents the "bad guys." We feel the confusing values gap and flinch at the thought of playing censor once again. Yet we must. God has told us, the parents, to train our children to follow His way, and we can’t turn back now. Also, He promises to enable us. Fortified with truth, let’s make sure our children have toys than enhance their progress toward God’s kind of maturity.

Step One: Develop a Sensitivity to Evil

A young mother driving a carload of children – including two from her church - posed this question: "Who is the Master of the universe?" "He-Man!" shouted a chorus of

voices. The mother grieved as the youngsters praised their idol. Her heart sank further when one boy pulled an ugly figure from his pocket and waved it in the air. "And this is of the Hordak," he shouted. "He's bad! He fights He-Man!"

Current delight in false gods and demonic creatures may have begun with winsome magicians such as Papa Smurf and Rainbow Brite. As people welcomed these non-threatening harbingers of occult forces, they unknowingly opened the door to the grotesque and disturbing realms of the dark occult.

At first we parents closed our eyes to this trend – we didn't want to overreact. Even within the church community, talk about Satan and his dark realm was often regarded as too negative or heavy-handed. Since we failed to resist, we gradually adapted and then accepted these practices. Now it's time to retrench, take our positions, and fight to regain our discernment and freedom. How do we do this?

·  Read and apply Scriptures.

·  Share your own observations. Spark awareness in a young child with comments such as, "That monster look gross!" Or "That creature reminds me of a snake," along with "Did you know that in the Bible, serpents always represent Satan and evil?"

·  To express your feelings to a young child, comment, "Who would want that evil-looking figure? I don't even like to look at him. Let's find something that makes us feel happy inside.''

"In the many ways we express our pleasure and displeasure, our disappointments and enthusiasms, our concern and criticism, our approval and disapproval, we pass on a set of values that usually runs longer and stronger than most outside messages." (Joanne Oppenheim in Buy Me! Buy Me!)

· Model wise decision-making. Tell your child why you wouldn't want to buy certain things.

· When a child wants something questionable, ask questions that are prayerfully adapted to your child's age, such as:

- What does the toy (or game) teach you (about power, about magic, about God, about yourself)? Discuss both obvious and subtle messages.

- Have you seen movies, cartoons, or comic books that made this toy (game) part of a story? What did the story tell you about it? Does the toy (game) remind you of some one who uses magic or supernatural power? Did someone pretend to be God?

- What does it teach about violence or inamorata and their consequences?

- Does the toy (game) have any symbols or characteristics that associate it with either the light or dark side of New Age occultism?

Whatever is lovely, gracious, and good originates with God. Satan cannot produce anything new. All he can offer is counterfeits or clever distortions of God's gifts.

Symbols - What do they tell us?

Counterfeit

Genuine

Rainbow? Healing vibrations, a bridge to higher consciousness, the state of perfection, oneness with God.

God gave rainbows as a sign of His eternal covenant with man.

Pentagram: Five-pointed star. Pointing up, it represents light, life, and education. Pointing down, it represents evil, witchcraft, and black magic.

God put stars in the skies and uses them to illustrate the magnitude of His marvelous creation.

The Sun: The cosmic force, the all-seeing mind of the universe, the center of being.

God’s provision for light, heat, and energy. One day we won’t need it, for God’s glory will illumine His heaven. (Revelation 22:5)

Sword: Used in satanic rituals to invoke the presence of Satan. A key symbol on Tarot cards.

The "Sword of the Spirit" is the Word of God. Take it, know it, wield it! (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Dragons or Serpents: Often charming, shrewd power-figures. Usually evil.

Bibical usage always refers to Satan or his shrewdness.

A Goat’s Head: an integral part of satanic worship.

Scapegoat. (Numbers 7:16) Separate sheep from goats. (Matthew 25:32)

Peace Symbol: Distorted, upside-down cross, one of the many ways Satan mocks and misuses the cross.

The true cross – peace with God and victory over sin through Christ’s atoning death.

Rather than letting fear of the counterfeit turn you away from the genuine, be sure you know the difference. For example, while star pentagrams have become popular occult symbols-they also shine innocently from the blue field on our American flag. Pray for discernment to reject what is counterfeit, but thankfully to receive the good.

Step Two: Encourage Your Child To Choose the Good

Develop a mind-set that seeks the best, not just the "OK." You have identified and rejected the bad toys. But the rest are not necessarily good. Discuss these questions to help your child learn to choose the best. Phrase the questions according to your child's age level.

  • · Does it present a true picture of life? In a time when even adults base their lives on counterfeit dreams and false illusions, our children need to learn to tell what is real.
  • · How long would the interest last? Fad toys are fun for the moment, but they whet the appetite for every "in" thing, so that decision-making centers on the question, "What will make me feel happy right now?" Determine not to buy that lie. Unfortunately, many quality toy companies, like Creative Playthings, have been bought up or squeezed out by giants who can pay the high price for television promotion. The range of major toy lines is narrowing to those that look glamorous on the screen.1
  • · Will this toy be used for playing alone or with others? A child needs a balance of solitary and social play. Good toys will help him interact both with his imaginary world and with the real world, harmonizing the two. That may require some interaction with you. Perhaps you could agree together to find toys that will help you, the parent, participate in your young child's imaginary world.
  • · Can you shift the toy from its pre-set play pattern and use it for good? One mother found a way to remove Barbie from her glamorous me-centered world to one that fosters kindness and wholesome family life:

    • We sought to encourage a new emphasis in our daughter's Barbie play... She had always played family games with her teenage dolls. In fact, Ken and Barbie were once "married" during a candlelight service, with her Pastor/father officiating. We had transformed a cardboard box into a family home. Sarah Jane was open to extending the family, so we added a smaller doll with a little-girl face and figure. The family now included a child.2
  • · Does it build godly character? Many toys, hobbies, and games do. Review the biblical principles suggested evaluating movies and television programs.
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    Step Three: Train Your Child To Follow God, Not Peers

    We want our children to feel good about themselves, be liked by their peers, and not miss out on the fun. But as we realize what their friends choose, we wonder how our children will respond to the peer pressure. How can we prepare them to make wise choices?

  • Counter their pressure. Children naturally compare us to the parents of peers, challenging us to match their "generosity." That hurts, since we want them to feel our love for them. We see what they don't realize: that getting the toys they want will not make them feel secure in our love. Instead, it increases their craving and builds discontent. Also, it teaches them to equate love with material things. If your child is old enough, explain this process to him.

  • Teach them to be individuals, not just members of the status quo. The New Age tells children that "all are one." The truth is that God made each person unique. Wisdom resists false justifications like, "Everybody has one!" (Discuss Deuteronomy 7:6 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

  • Discuss whether "showing off' might be their motive for wanting a toy. Feeding that feeling produces bondage and increased insecurity.

  • Children as well as adults crave superior luxury items and toy manufacturers are quick to comply.

  • Be a pacesetter. Have an abundant supply of ideas and tools to help your child and his friends use their imaginations and develop their own play: dress-up clothes (thrift stores are a good resource), fabrics for making puppets, scrap wood for outdoor structures, a refrigerator carton for making a playhouse, etc.

  • Look to the Bible for guidelines and authority. God understands our desires to follow the crowd; He feels our struggle to be "in" the world but not "of" it (John 17:16-18). According to age readiness, review Romans 12:1-2 together and then discuss 3 John 11 and Jude 18-20.

  • Self-denial seems out of place in a nation consumed with self-indulgence and self-fulfillment. But God commanded it and Jesus demonstrated it. Dare we refuse to acknowledge it? According to the age of your child, discuss Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24 and then allow the Holy Spirit to direct your application.

  • Don't get me wrong. Far more than earthly parents, God wants His children to be happy and have a good time. But He doesn't want cream puffs to satisfy our hunger and turn us away from the meat of truth. Self-discipline produces the kind of maturity that brings genuine happiness forever, not merely a pleasant moment today.

  • Our Heavenly Father, who models parenting better than any of us, doesn't major on the superficial. He knows better than to give us all the things we want. For just as most children will choose pop over milk, and chips over carrots, so we as adults often choose that which cannot satisfy. God does not want empty vanities, as He calls them, to mold our appetites, satisfy our hunger, and replace the very best.

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    Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!

    Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

    For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! (Romans 11:33-36)

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