Last week, I posted a cautionary message on social media about Taylor Swift’s brand new, 31-song collection. Boy, did I strike a nerve! At this point, the post has been viewed by 29K people, garnered a plethora of comments, and has been shared multiple times – both positively and negatively. That’s a huge win in the marketing world. But I can’t help but think that it brings tears to the eyes of my God and Savior.
Let me begin by sharing my post:
I can’t sing one lyric of a Taylor Swift song. I can’t even tell you a title of a song. I know more about her boyfriend, simply because I’m a Chiefs fan, than I know about this singer/songwriter, marketing genius. Yet I would have to live in a hole to not know that her new album came out, as the hype has been unprecedented.
I’m sure the 31-song collection has some great beats, strong musicality, and catchy lyrics. But have you really looked at the lyrics? I mean, really read the lyrics?
Listen…if you as an adult want to listen, so be it.
But it should give you “pause when it comes to our kids and the messages they’re ingesting.” The 284 million – yes, million – followers on Instagram and who knows how many more Swifty fans there are as she generated a billion streams of her songs on one outlet alone.
Read what Adam Holz said in his review from Plugged In:
“At the surface level, I really don’t like all harsh profanity here (more pearl clutching—sorry, Taylor), or the glorification of reckless intimacy. But I think I’m even more discomfited by the underlying worldview that millions upon millions of impressionable girls are ingesting: that romantic love is the capstone human experience.
“That’s a worldview that Taylor Swift continues to lean into with all her might. And it’s one that deserves our parental attention and critique, lest it leave our daughters (and probably some sons, too) vulnerable to the kind of emotional devastation that Taylor herself plods through over and over again here.”
Again, I’m not telling you what to do. I am simply encouraging you to do your homework. Then, pause for a moment. Are you sure you want these lyrics to be “impressing” on your daughter or son?
Parenting to Impress
If you are concerned about what you are “impressing” upon your children’s hearts (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), you likely agree with the 30% who “liked” the post 👍.
What surprised me, however, is that over half of the engagement wasn’t in the form of likes 👍, sad 😢, or even anger 😡 emojis. Over 55% of the engagement consisted of the laughing emoji 😂. They were laughing at my suggestion to guard their children’s hearts.
This was not just surprising; it was shocking. Saddening. Heartbreaking.
I felt like I caught just a glimpse of what the prophets of the Old Testament experienced. They called for repentance, and they were met with laughter (2 Chronicles 36:16 NIRV).
Guard Your Heart
When we consider the content produced in Hollywood, lining the shelves of Barnes and Noble, and dominating the charts on Spotify, it becomes evident that the majority of the world disregards the impact of what they watch, read, and listen to.
Yet, I firmly believe that everything we expose ourselves to leaves an impression on our hearts.
Paul’s words in Colossians 3:5-10 are explicit: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Despite the notion that what one watches or listens to may not affect them, Proverbs 4:23 warns us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” What goes in is what is going to come out.
The Bible commands us to set our “minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2 NIV). Philippians 4:8 NIV reinforces this, urging us to focus on, “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 about such things.”
There are profound blessings in guarding our hearts. By resisting conformity to worldly standards and allowing our minds to be transformed, we gain insight into God’s will (Romans 12:2). Isaiah 26:3 promises “perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Guard Their Hearts
Before you dismiss this as another Christian “Clutching their pearls, sighing, ‘What a mess,'” let me be transparent: sin is sin, plain and simple. One person commented that while I was pointing fingers at Taylor, gluttony was taking over my meals. They’re right; the sin of overeating is no different than the sin of impurity. If you follow this ministry, you know I’m honest about the strongholds of sin in my life and how I’m seeking God’s help to break them down.
But here’s the thing.
As adults, we have the autonomy to choose what we expose ourselves to—what we watch, read, and listen to. When I opt for content filled with impurity, evil, greed, lies, or filthy language, that decision rests between me and God.
However, the stakes change when it involves children. The Bible issues stern warnings against leading children astray.
This post extends beyond Taylor Swift, her music, or her image. What initially began as a call for parents to put their children’s media consumption under a microscope has evolved into a cautionary message about the content we allow into our homes—into our hearts and the hearts of our children.
If you don’t consider the Bible the foundation of truth, this post is not for you.
But if you acknowledge God as King of kings and seek to make Him Lord of your life, consider this a reminder. We are to be the gatekeepers of our children’s hearts. It’s not popular. It’s not easy. But it’s a command I take seriously, and I pray that the resources of the Parenting to Impress ministry empower you to do the same.
Unsure how to be your child’s gatekeeper? I invite you to join us:
- August 2-3, 2024 – NW Arkansas
We will dive into the Bible to determine God’s plan for raising children. Also learn how to parent and teach intentionally, get the most out of the ABCJesusLovesMe Curricula, and create a play-based learning environment. Discover what to teach and how to teach! Perfect for preschool or Sunday School teachers, moms and dads, MOPS leaders, grandparents, and daycare leaders. Learn more…
Thank you, Heidi for having the courage to speak up. I have long had reservations about Taylor Swift and others that are impressing our children. Keep up the good work.
Lynne – Thank you for your kind words, encouragement, and support. Our children’s hearts are too important to let this go. –heidi
Thank you Heidi for ALL you do! Your curriculum has been such a blessing to our homeschool family and even much so your articles! May you continue to speak so boldly and courageously as you pour out truth. I pray that those who come across your posts would have softened hearts and eyes that would see. 🙏🏼💜 Keep doing what you’re doing! (Gal. 6:9)
Zarinna – Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. Galatians 6:9 is one of my favorite verses! –heidi
Heidi,
I agree whole heartly with you. We need to guard their little innocent hearts as long as we can. Please keep sharing the truth. I have friends that let their children idolize her and I keep telling them to pay more attention to what their children are listening too. After all Satan is running the music business.
Satan is running whatever we give him. It is important that we don’t give him our homes. As you said, “we need to guard their little, innocent hearts.” –heidi