Meme-ed though it may be, it is necessary for a parent to teach their child “stranger danger.” It is a necessary act of precaution. Whether in the park, out in the neighbor, or the mall children need to be prepared not to talk to or be persuaded by someone they don’t know. We teach our children to shout “stranger danger” when they encounter someone they don’t know and we ought to do the same for young Christians.

Easy Targets

Peter warned his readers, the young ones in the room, that the devil was especially targeting them. Peter wrote, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8) Peter understood that younger Christians are particularly prone to falling for the temptations and attacks of the devil. With maturity comes the ability to fight off temptation, and it also comes with the ability to spot a suspicious scheme.

Paul wrote that the goal of the church was to work together to build the body up (Eph. 4:11-13). Paul then makes an interesting note of what will happen as the whole church grows together, ” so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Eph. 4:14) Paul understood the realities of spiritual stranger danger. Paul’s hope for the church was that as they matured into Christ they would be able to spot sketchy theology (wind of doctrine), smiling false teachers (human cunning), and would not be persuaded by tactics (deceitful schemes). Paul understood that as Christians matured they would be able to spot dangerous false teachers, so what can we do for young Christians?

Scream First, Ask Questions Later

We need to train our young Christians in the art of yelling “stranger danger.” Sometimes a child may yell “stranger danger,” not knowing the person they are talking to, and then come to realize this individual is entirely kind and even a family friend. But I contend it is better for the child to be trained in skepticism and be pleasantly surprised afterward. Such should be the case for our new converts.

After someone becomes a Christian, we should train them to be skeptical of internet theologians. I believe it is good and right for our young Christians to initially think, “I’m not sure I should listen to this person,” and then be pleasantly surprised. It is entirely possible they have stumbled upon John Piper, Ligonier ministries, or 9Marks, but it is equally possible they have found someone you wouldn’t want them to listen to. I would rather a young Christian tell me they were skeptical of Desiring God and wanted my input before they told me they had started reading Joel Osteen.

Teaching To Stand Up

The local church exists to build each other in the faith of Christ into maturity. This is what Paul understood in Ephesians 4 and it is still as meaningful today. Your local church exists to take young Christians and help them grow into maturity. Right now young Christians, because the devil is especially interested in them, can’t stand up in the wind and waves of false teaching and teachers. So, instead of even getting caught in the waves, or being approached by a stranger, we need to teach them it is perfectly fine to yell “stranger danger.” As they mature they will be able to stand on their own two feet. As they grow in Christ they will be able to see what is right and true. One day they will stand up and not be “tossed” by the waves and “carried” by the wind, but until then teach them to be suspicious.

Conclusion

Your local church exists to help each other keep the faith, and in so doing be able to spot false teachers. But until then, train then to shout, “stranger danger” and run the other way. This does not have to compromise Paul command that love “believes all things” (1 Cor. 13:7), instead it teaches them that love for Christ necessitates following in truth. You can still love the stranger you are suspicious of. It would be better to be surprised than coaxed into false teaching. Our young believers will be approached by many teachers false and true, let’s each them to run from strangers back to their family.

For His glory,

Alan