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September 2006 No. 249 WHAT HAS CORRUPTED TODAY’S YOUTH?
WHAT
HAS CORRUPTED TODAY’S YOUTH? Every one of us can take a look at
today’s society and easily observe that times have changed. The biggest change
I have noticed is in the younger age generations, specifically an age range of
twelve to sixteen. I am sure any older person can see this; but when younger
people like me whose generation is just above this age group take notice,
something isn’t quite right. Over a series of articles, I would like to look
into what may possibly be contributing factors to this corruption and see if we
can pinpoint a single factor. This may sound out of the ordinary, considering I
am fresh out of high school and practically belong to this young generation. My
view might give an interesting perspective. I have spent not only academic time,
but also extracurricular time around these youths. Consider this an
“undercover” report on today’s youth. Let’s examine our target age group first.
The age range we’re looking at is from around twelve to sixteen. This is
considered the adolescent range when several changes occur physically, mentally,
and emotionally. Two big occurrences happen during this time. One is the attempt
of these young teens to develop their identity. They are trying to figure out
where they fit in socially or what social group they are going to belong to. The
second big occurrence is autonomy, a sense of independence from parents. Keep
occurrences in mind, as these are consistent underlying reasons in problems we
are going to examine. This is a rough age for both the teen and their parents;
peer pressure is at a high point to go along with the rest of the problems. Ask
any experienced teacher, this age group (grades 6-10) is very difficult to
teach. The Bible gives specific instructions to
youths. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil
days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure
in them;” (Ecc. 12:1). Ephesians 6:13 gives more specific instruction: “Children,
obey your parents in the Lord: for this right. Honour thy father and mother;
(which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee,
and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Timothy 2:22 distinguishes the fact that
youths have special difficulties to overcome by labeling certain lusts as
belonging to youth. “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a
pure heart.” Now let’s look at the obvious problems
currently plaguing youth. This age group feels the need to rebel. They rebel and
display disrespect against parents, rules, authority, and etc. At this age they
feel a strong need to attract the opposite sex. This lone problem can lead a
young person to do some of the craziest things. The society surrounding young
people today is just plain backwards. Just look at their language; in many
instances the word “bad” is meant to express a positive. Example: “Oh man,
have you heard that new song?” or “Man, that’s a bad song.” is often
heard. “Bad” used in this context actually means “good.” In movies,
video games, and other things, the “bad guy” is the “good guy,” the one
for whom you are cheering. Society has glorified the underdog, but not
in a good way. The underdog in today’s society is the young man who was born
without a legitimate dad; who had to steal to get by; who dropped out of school
and dealt drugs; and who became father to several illegitimate children all with
different mothers but never marries. Why is this type of person glorified? It is
because this person possessed enough music, athletic, or acting ability to
become rich and famous. Now this person not only has the house, cars, and
clothes everyone wants, but also shows them off thus creating tribute to their
past. Young people want those cars and houses just like their idol, often
feeling that if they live that glorified lifestyle, they too can achieve that
status. See what Galatians 5:19-21 says in regard
to that lifestyle: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before,
as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God.” Philippians 4:8 tells us what we are to
focus on: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Simply put, “Abstain
from all appearance of evil” (1 The. 5:22) Keep Philippians 4:8 in mind as we take a
look at possible factors contributing to the corruption of today’s youth. Ask
yourself, “are these things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good
report?” So what has corrupted today’s youth? Is
it video games, the internet, music, television, or parents? VIDEO
GAMES The video game industry has grown
tremendously over the years. In fact, the video game industry now brings in more
money than movies do at the box office. It is estimated that outside of school,
children spend the majority of their free time playing video games.
Statistically, the average child spends two hours a day playing video games.
Video games are being used as babysitters. It’s not just children however. A
study in 2003 showed that in that year, the average American spent 75
hours playing video games. That is a lot of time, but are video games that bad? Well, video games are not what they used to
be. No longer is your objective to use your dot on the screen to escape from
another dot. Now you have the freedom to steal a vehicle of your choice, commit
various crimes for fun, and even locate a prostitute. This is all in the same
game, with stunning graphics to add realism. Not all video games are like this,
but the fact that this is the fastest growing genre in video games is alarming.
Just look at the titles of some of the most popular games: “Grand Theft
Auto,” “True Crime,” and “Hitman”. Several video games are centered on strong
violent themes, and sexual situations. In these games the player controls the
“bad guy,” the criminal, the villain. This is a good example of society
glorifying the underdog. The popularity of these games can be frightening. Our
youths are enjoying being a bad guy. So are video games what is corrupting
youths? Video games contribute to many problems, but these problems stem from
something else. As was stated earlier, not all video games are centered on evil.
Video games are not the sole factor in the corruption of today’s youth. THE
INTERNET The Internet is literally a world of
information at your fingertips. The Internet connects people from across the
world. It can be a great tool for information. In fact, all the statistics I
have used in this series of articles came from the Internet. The internet is a
valuable resource to students doing research. Now in recent times, the Internet
has been used in the Lord’s work. There are several websites that contain
recorded sermons in audio files, pictures, meeting times and information about
several different congregations. There are even emailed updates that list those
in need of prayer and report missionary work. The Internet has information about nearly
everything, without censors. Anything and everything goes. The saying “If
you’ve got the money, we’ve got your disease” does not apply. You don’t
need the money; the internet is basically free. There are over 372 million
pornographic websites on the Internet. That’s over 372 million websites
dedicated to the glorification of fornication. This alarming number is over an
1800% increase from a 1998 study. The problem of fornication used to be easily
avoidable on the Internet; simply don’t go there. Now it’s making its way
into advertisements on mainstream web pages. So at the same time I’m reading
an email updating those in need of prayer, there’s a bikini-clad woman on an
ad saying “Meet Hot Singles in Your Area!” directly beside the email. We no
longer have to go searching for trouble on the internet, it’s coming to us. Teens spend an average of 16.7 hours a week
on the Internet. Most of it is likely engaged in instant messaging or online
conversation. However the recent phenomenon of Myspace has probably begun to
take over many of those hours. Myspace is a social network where users
communicate through web-based journals on their personal web pages. It is also
the most popular website in the United States. You can learn about a person
through their page and all the people they know. You can visit several
strangers’ pages and view the things they like, good or bad. So it has got to be the internet that is
corrupting today’s youths, right? You still have to go searching for serious
trouble on the Internet. Offensive web sites can be blocked with the right
software. The Internet can be used for good purposes and bad alike. The internet
contributes to problems affecting today’s youth, but it’s not the sole
factor. Ben Next
Month WHAT
HAS CORRUPTED TODAY’S YOUTH? : MUSIC
QUESTION: In 1 Timothy 5:17 -
18 it is written, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the
scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And,
The labourer is worthy of his reward.” Does this mean that elders who
preach and teach should be paid for their services? ANSWER: In no passage or example do the New
Testament Scriptures authorize clergymen as are customarily found among the
sectarian churches and many congregations among the churches of
Christ. Leadership among Christians in the First Century focused upon
elders and not preachers (Acts 11:30, Acts 20:17, Titus 1:5). While an elder would normally be expected
to spend much of his time among the flock whom he shepherds, he would not be
improper in traveling to assist where his knowledge, wisdom, and experience
could be of advantage. Peter was an apostle, but he was also an elder (2
Peter 5:1). In Acts 15 journeys were made by several "chosen
men" and "chief men among the brethren" (v. 22) in looking into
matters other than at their own congregation. It can easily be envisioned that certain congregations
might require such intense teaching, care, and ministering that the elders
would need to devote their entire time to spiritual interests rather than at
secular employment. In such a situation, 1 Timothy 5:17-18 would certainly
apply and financial support would definitely be in order. In a detailed explanation of this principal
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:4-14, “Have
we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a
wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or
I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare
any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the
fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of
the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is
written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in
hope should be partaker of his hope. If
we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap
your carnal things? If others be
partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not
used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of
Christ. Do ye not know that they
which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they
which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel.” Paul
was referencing
Deuteronomy 25:4, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn,”
as a supporting Old Testament passage. It
should be further noted that the elders were not authorized to hire someone else
to do their own work, but that they themselves were to accomplish that for which
they were qualified and appointed. Elders are not simply directors who
oversee those who do the work. Harry Cobb Wedowee,
AL
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 1.
What
did Potiphera (Joseph’s father-in-law) do for a living? 2.
What
happened to Eli’s daughter-in-law when she heard of the death of her husband
and father-in-law? 3.
The
words of the Lord are like silver refined and purified how many times? 4.
Why
did Paul tell the Corinthians to be followers of him? 5.
According
to Ecclesiastes, what has replaced justice and rightousness? ANSWERS
NEXT MONTH . . . and
remember last month’s questions? 1.
Moses
was angry after the Israelites defeated the Midianites because too many of whom
were allowed to live? MIDIANITE
WOMEN (Num. 31:14,15) 2.
What
did Paul plead with Euodias and Syntyche?
T0 BE OF THE SAME MIND IN THE LORD (James 3:2) 3.
What
does God require from man’s inner parts, according to Psalm 51?
TRUTH (Psalms 51:6) 4.
Which
authority in 5.
According
to Deut. 15, would GOSPEL MEETINGS
The Harvester 141 County Road 474 Woodland, AL 36280 Phone: (256) 449-9221 Email:
raymcmanus@hotmail.com Web Page: www.churches-of-christ.org |
