A Selfish Generation

“Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.” (Heb. 3:10)

Does this verse in Hebrews not aptly define our generation today? Our hearts are becoming more and more self-absorbed and our thoughts are what’s in it for me. We no longer follow God’s ways but our own.

We are raising a generation of young people to be a selfish generation. The media has become their God, a false prophet. It is teaching this generation their morals and how they should behave. It appears that no one else is teaching them. Their parents are too busy or self-absorbed themselves, and most children have never attended a church unless it was for a wedding or funeral.

Our teenagers, who by nature are generally selfish, are receiving so many mixed messages it is no wonder they are confused. Where are their role models? The role models of today are such superstars as Janet Jackson, Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake. The movies and TV shows are no help either. Sex, violence and degrading behaviour are in almost everything they see. TV shows such as Survivor and The Bachelor appear to encourage us to do whatever it takes to win. The media is encouraging inappropriate dress in young women. They are bombarded daily with images of how they should look. These young girls have lost their innocence and modesty. Young women are encouraged to be sexual and aggressive. Young men are encouraged to be self-absorbed, passive and abusive. They are not being taught to respect each other but instead to use each another. “How can you satisfy my needs?” Of course all teenagers are selfish to some degree, it is part of the process of becoming adults. Learning what they can and cannot do. It is the adults responsibility to guide them, not abandon them just when they need our help the most.

Our world is full of many problems and we are not equipping this young generation to handle them. “In a world of accelerating change and increasing uncertainty, what values will help inspire and sustain children as they become young adults? Unlike past generations, children today can expect to have several careers during their lives, and they can expect to be lifelong learners because many of the jobs they will have don’t yet exist. The pace of change today is accelerating as never before in history. How can we prepare a generation that will have the tools and the willingness to confront – and solve- the many problems of our global society, instead of sinking into cynicism or apathy?” Quote from The Wisdom of Waldorf – Education for the Future by Rahma Baldwin Dancy, Mothering Magazine No. 123 March/April 2004.

Are we allowing our children to sink into cynicism or apathy? If we do not give them hope and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ what have they got to sustain them in this world today?

We must teach our children the Word of God. They desperately need His protection in this day and age. We must listen to the words of Peter, ” Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:38-40)

Parents today have a great job ahead of them. Their children are being influenced by so many false images and are in need of constant prayer and teaching of God’s word. This current generation of adults must give up their selfish thoughts and put their children first. Our children need our help to know their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

“Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is 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. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:1-4)