Hello Friend,
Last week, we talked about the importance of both “defense” and “offense” when it comes to music and media in the home. Yes, there are things we may choose to guard against carefully. But Christian parenting is not only about keeping darkness out. It is also about intentionally filling our homes with truth, beauty, and light.
But it isn’t always immediately clear is it, what is dark disguised as light and light appearing dark. Sometimes it is not so black and white.
Rather than approaching music only through fear or restriction, perhaps Scripture invites us into something deeper: discernment. The goal is not merely raising children who know what to avoid, but children who gradually learn to love what is good.
This takes time and practice.
I recently revisited one of Sarah Clarkson’s books1 in which she has a section on the “Art of Discernment.” She talks about how her parents helped her develop her appetite for quality literature by choosing and reading books wisely, based on an internal standard rather than an external rule—over time.
She was taught very early on how the books she reads and the media she takes in deeply shapes the person she is becoming day by day. She says that to this day she often finds,
“…that if I ask what the book [or song or show] produces in me—in my emotions, my imagination, my desires, my sense of what is real or true—I can quickly identify whether the book [or song or show] is one I want to continue.”
This reminded me of our crucial role as parents, to help shape and guide the ‘appetites’ of our children, not only with books, but with music and media as well. It is our job to be helping them navigate and discern for themselves is something is beneficial to them or not.
As we think about the “soundtrack” shaping our homes, here are a few passages worth reading and discussing together as a family.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
What we repeatedly listen to has a way of settling deep into our hearts over time. What does it mean to guard our hearts, and what does it look like practically in the every day?
Philippians 4:8
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Does the music filling our homes lead our minds toward what is good, beautiful, and life-giving? What are some examples you can think of? Are there any examples of songs that may not meet that criteria?
Luke 6:45
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Music has a unique way of planting words, emotions, and desires deep within us—especially in children. Have you ever heard a song or watched a movie or show that left you feeling a certain way after? Share as you feel comfortable.
Ephesians 5:18–19
“…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
God designed music not only for entertainment, but for worship, encouragement, and spiritual formation. How can we be intentional about doing this in our family throughout the week, throughout our days?
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.”
What would it look for the message of Christ to echo regularly through the atmosphere of our home? What difference would it make in how we feel and how we approach each day?
No family will navigate this perfectly. Our children will encounter messages we would not choose for them. More often than we’d like! But perhaps the goal is not simply tighter control, but gradual formation.
Little by little, song by song, conversation by conversation, we help train our children’s hearts to recognize what is good, beautiful, and True.
So get started, weave these thoughts into your parenting, and see what difference it makes.
Happy listening (and discerning)!
From My Heart and Home of Glory to Yours,
Ali
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Homes of Glory provides biblical encouragement & practical tips to help families stay grounded and growing in Jesus Christ.
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