The World is dark. Our culture is dark, and it seems like people are not only living in darkness but loving the darkness. In Scripture we read: “The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19).

Many families are looking for a response to this darkness—a response to all of the tragedies, sin, confusion, evil, and division we see in our culture. Parents are looking for ways to disciple their children through it all, equipping them with a biblical response to this world.

Discipling our kids and preparing them to be a light to this culture is one of the best responses we can have as parents (Matt. 5:14-16). And as our children navigate these dark cultural waters, we can lead well, helping them avoid unhealthy responses to the world around them:  

5 Unhealthy Responses to the World Around Us / How Not to Respond to our Culture

Conform to the world

This is not our home, and we are not to love the things of the world or conform to the pattern of our sinful culture. As Paul exhorted the church in Rome, parents today are to teach their children, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

Condemn the world

Jesus said that He did not come to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17), for the world is condemned already (John 3:18). Instead of speaking words of condemnation devoid of all hope, Christian families should point the lost world to the One who can save, hoping for revival in our nation. And as they come to Jesus, let us celebrate the Good News that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

Criticize the world

I’ve never heard anyone say, “You know, hearing all of your criticisms has really made me want to know Jesus Christ.” It’s easy to criticize, but Jesus didn’t give His followers the Great Criticism. He gave us the Great Commission, a call to make disciples of all nations—including our nation with all of its sin and evil. Instead of tearing others down, let us build them up (Eph. 4:29).

Complain about the world

Even in the midst of darkness, Christians are to be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). We don’t walk around with our head down, complaining (Phil. 2:14), and defeated, we walk victoriously in Christ, filled with hope, for Jesus is still the light of the world. Let us encourage our families with God’s Word:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…so we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting way, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:8-9, 16-17).  

Cancel the world

Our nation seems to have fully embraced “Cancel Culture,” and even Christians are tempted to play this game. It is tempting to block everyone who disagrees with us, only follow those who think like we do, and cancel anyone who sins. What if we lead our families to love our neighbors instead of cancelling them? What if we lead our families to share the Gospel with sinners, in hopes that they would be saved from their sin rather than canceled for their sin?

Remember, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

As you lead your family away from these unhealthy responses, we hope part two of this article will encourage you to embrace these 5 BIBLICAL RESPONSES TO THE WORLD AROUND US as you disciple your children, teaching them HOW TO RESPOND TO OUR CULTURE.

Jonathan Williams, Ph.D. (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the founder and executive director of Gospel Family Ministries. This ministry focuses on strengthening family ministry in the local church and cultivating family worship in the Christian home. Jonathan is the author of “A Practical Theology of Family Worship” and “Gospel Family.” He also teaches as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, and is the managing editor of The Southwestern D6 Family Ministry Journal. Previously, Jonathan served for 10 years as the senior pastor of Wilcrest Baptist Church, a multi-ethnic church of more than 50 nations. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.