Day 10 — Be Wise, Stay Innocent

“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.”

— Romans 16:19 (BSB)

Some guys think it’s cool to know about everything, including bad stuff. They want to watch the movies they’re not old enough for, play the games that are really violent, and know about all the things adults don’t want them to see. It can feel grown-up, like you’re in on something.

But Paul says something surprising: “I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.”

In other words: become an expert in good things. Learn everything you can about what’s true, right, helpful and beautiful. But when it comes to evil, it’s okay, even good, to stay a beginner. You don’t need to know everything about bad things.

Think about a doctor. A good doctor studies diseases so he can fight them. But he doesn’t go around infecting himself with diseases so he can “experience” them! He knows enough to recognize danger, and then he stays away.

Screens give us access to almost anything, including a lot of things that aren’t good for anyone, especially kids: extreme violence, cruelty, crude jokes, and things that treat people as objects. Once those images and ideas get into your mind, it’s really hard to get them out.

Being “innocent about evil” means:

• Not seeking out things you know you shouldn’t see.
• Turning it off or looking away if something bad comes on.
• Following your parents’ rules about what’s okay to watch and play. They’re trying to protect your mind.
• Not being ashamed to say, “I’m not allowed to watch that,” or “I don’t play that.”
• Telling a parent if you see something online that bothers you, confuses you or makes you uncomfortable.

And being “wise about good” means filling your mind with good things: great stories, God’s Word, real adventures, learning and creativity.

You don’t have to know about everything bad to be grown-up. The wisest men know what to stay away from.

Think about it: Why do you think Paul wants us to stay “innocent about evil”? Is there something you’ve been watching or playing that you should stay away from?

Try this: Replace one screen activity this week with something that makes you “wise about good,” like a great book, learning a skill or reading the Bible.

Dear God, help me be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. Help me stay away from things I shouldn’t see, and fill my mind with good things instead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.