Research has shown that what children buy or choose to eat is influenced by advertising.  The Straits Times reports that fourteen major food beverage firms will support efforts to fight obesity by reducing advertising to children in Singapore from Jan 1 next year.  It will, hopefully, lower the risk of chronic ailments like diabetes as they grow older.

I think such a move is necessary because children lack the ability to discern or exercise self control.  But children are not only exposed to information that can make them unhealthy physically, they also need to be protected against information that will harm their mental and spiritual  well being.  Jesus warns us (Matt 15:17-18) that:

Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

If we are wary about what goes into our stomach, we should be even more cautious about the things which enter and defile our minds because we are what we are not by the food we eat by but by what fills our thoughts.

Adults and children should guard against spiritual garbage that come from several fronts.  First, just as children must study hard and do their best, adults must also strive to excel in their jobs.  We need to do so because these are our responsibilities and will help us to survive in this world.  Having said that, however, to say that if you do not excel academically or at your job, you cannot survive in this world is simply untrue.  Jesus says: “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).  It is not academic or career excellence that enables you to survive but obedience to the Word of God that ensures your entire well being.  Hence, as we live responsibly by studying and working hard, we should first live a God fearing life.  Indeed, “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them.” (Pro 16:7).  Please God and God will prosper your ways.

Second, just as advertisements influence a child’s eating habits, adults are not spared either.  Otherwise, why would companies spend thousands of dollars in advertising?  It is important to guard against what your eyes see and what your ears hear that garbage may not enter your heart.  But that which influences us is not only advertisements.  It includes the many statements and theses that come from our colleagues, bosses, and even family members.  It is important to make a conscious effort to regularly question ideas put forward by people around us.  But to be able to do that, we need to log in serious time to study God’s Word because as Hebrews 4:12 tells us:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

When you listen to sermons or attend the Adult Sunday School, by the time the class or sermon ends, you must ensure that you have understood the passage well.  If not, please ask questions.  God’s Word gives “prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young (Pro 1:4).