Sunday, November 2, 2008

Am I the only one?

Lately, I have been hearing about a series of books that is very popular with girls my age. I’m usually very skeptical about popular reading material, so I found an article in WORLD magazine that helped me better understand what the books were about. The review said that the books are filled with immoral love scenes, and even deal with vampires. The covers of the books are very creepy and have haunting titles.

I have heard about these books from many girls, even some Christian ones. I heard many people discuss the characters, and talk about the movie which comes out next month. I had already decided that I would not read these books, and was shocked to hear that nearly every girl I met had read all four of the books in the series. As I watched teenage girls talk about these “amazing” books, I could see a gleam of hunger in their eyes. They just couldn’t seem to get enough of whatever was contained in the pages of these books. To me, they seemed obsessed. They couldn’t stop talking about them, and were moaning that the movie wouldn’t come out for another month.

I felt as if I were staring through a one way glass, looking at a group of people who are blind, and cannot see the truth. I feel as if I am the only one who can see that these books should not be read, especially by Christian girls. Why are such young girls filling their heads with material that only pollutes their mind and thoughts? Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, 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 on such things.” Even though I haven’t read these books, I know that they are not what girls my age should be filling their minds with. Someone that I believe has the sagacity to determine whether the books are wholesome or not skimmed just the first few chapters and told me that they are not appropriate for anyone to read!

I can’t help but ask myself, why? Why are young teens reading books filled with words that are only a temptation to do the wrong thing? Why are so many Christian girls reading these books at all? Am I the only one who is able to discern what I should and should not read? It is not hard to begin reading a book, but it is very hard to stop. I believe that my generation needs to realize that, even though something is popular, that doesn’t make it okay. We need to develop a discerning heart. If we are able to discern what is right and wrong, our minds will not become impure. We need to be able to look at something and say, “No! God says that this is wrong, so I will take no part in it!”

Although these books are only one example of many, it is what has really been bothering me lately. I look around at the world and think “Am I the only one?” I feel all alone, but I will not let my loneliness keep me from doing what is right. I will not do things that go against God’s will just to fit in and be popular. I want to teach people to have a discerning spirit and a conscience, but more importantly to listen to what God says is wrong and stand up for what is right. I am different, and I will not let anyone or anything make me stumble and fall away from God’s will for my life.

6 comments:

  1. You're not alone, my friend -- I know exactly what books you are talking about and completely agree with you. Let's continue to pray that these girls who are so obsessed with these books would find a different Book to hunger for.

    Eternally His,

    ~Kendall

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  2. hey molls,

    you're not alone! i know about those books and i know lots of girls that really like them. its sad to see people so blind to the truth. i agree with kendall, we definitely need to be in prayer for them! i'm with you all the way girl!

    ~Sadie

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  3. You are not alone Molly, it may seem like it but you are not alone! I am teaching my kids the very same thing, and yes we do deal with temptation, peer pressure and unwholesome reading/viewing choices in first grade. Just as your parents taught you I am striving to teach my kids to be set a part from the world and to take no part in anything God finds abhorrent or appalling. Stay strong in your discernment and don't let up. you are such a strong role model for other girls, even though you may not see it. I am very blessed that you are also a strong role model for my girls.
    Candice

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  4. You are definitely not alone Molly, I have not heard of these books but have seen, and heard many situations like this. It is sad that young girls get sucked into stuff like this, especially young Christian girls. The world is constantly looking at the Christians, spectating our every move and we need to be good examples, and we have to be more sensitive to Gods heart and how He feels about stuff like these books and many other things we constantly tolerate, and even participate in. Not only because the world is watching, but because it's the right thing to do. Just like I have said in M.U.S.T. We as the body of Christ need to start acting like the body of Christ-we need to strive to be like Jesus, and avoid those temptation that try so hard to capture us. It's time to stop blending in with the world, and start standing up for the ONE that died on cross for us, for our sins...we need to start standing for and with Jesus the Only One that matters!

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  5. Molly, I have felt this way many times. We are definately foreigners in this land. We aren't here to please man, we're here to please God. And molly, you are not alone!

    ~ Kara

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  6. There is a lot of media that contains inappropriate material. Some, like this, is filled with it, but others like animated movies (especially Disney movies), has little enough that we may consider it OK, but we still need to be on our guard. Just because it has some things that disagree with the Bible doesn't mean we have to have nothing to do with it, but we do have to be aware of what contradicts God's Word and not be led astray by it.

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