Why Christian Parents Should Never Let Their Kids Go to Prom.

Recently I put a post on Facebook about my shock at Christian parents who let their kids go to prom. I was blown away by the amount of criticism I received from self-proclaimed Christians. As a Christian teenager and now as an adult, I knew that prom was an ungodly event that no Christian should ever take part in just as I knew that no Christian should ever go to a night club. To me it seems like common sense, but I’m guessing many Christians have never been taught God’s thoughts on this matter. I’d like to give some biblical principles and common sense reasons why Christian parents should never let their kids go to prom.

 

1. We as Christian should never go to places whose sole purpose is ungodly in nature. Titus 2:12 KJV
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

The purpose of a restaurant is to eat. The purpose of a bar is to drink alchohol. The purpose of a grocery store is to buy food. The purpose of a prom is to hang all over your boyfriend or girlfriend while dancing to wicked music. Ask yourself what is the main purpose of what I’m about to do or where I’m about to go. If it’s sinful, don’t do it.

2. It is common sense to protect your children from temptation. 

2 Timothy 2:22a KJV

[22] Flee also youthful lusts…

You wouldn’t let your kids hang out at a drug house. Why? Even if you are confident that your child would never do drugs, no responsible parent would want their child around that temptation because of the chance they could give in to the peer pressure, but we let our kids with raging hormones dance to sexually driven music while rubbing up against their dance partner expecting them to stay pure. Makes no sense! While they might barely make it out physically pure, their minds will not be pure. A teenager’s hormones are like a fire; prom is like gasoline. There is a reason so many kids lose their purity after prom. Stop it.

3. Pure thoughts are not very high on the list at a prom. Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Ok, moms, I hate to break it to you, but while your little Billy is hanging all over that little girl in her skimpy prom dress wearing her perfume while dancing with her, he doesn’t have last week’s Sunday school lesson on his mind, and he’s not thinking about how much he loves you. I know it’s hard to believe….There is no pure thought going through his mind during prom. I can guarantee you that. If you think I’m wrong, you’re either a woman and really just don’t understand teenage boys, or you’re in denial. Why in God’s dear name would you put your child into that situation? You are literally throwing your child to the wolves in hopes he’ll be strong enough to survive.

4. I thank God my parents did not trust me as a teenager! 

One of the saddest statements I hear parents say is, “I trust my teenager.” I’ve dealt with many a parent whose child lost their purity because they “trusted” their child. My mom once told me, “Son, I trust you, but I don’t trust you.” I thank God for that. It’s not even about trust; it’s about not throwing your child into a den of lust and temptation in hopes he’ll be strong enough to resist.

5. “Since they are going to have sex anyway if they want to, just let them go. “

This is like saying, “If they want to do drugs, they are going to anyway,  and you might as well let them hang out with Billy the drug dealer.” Come on folks. This argument wouldn’t stand in a court of law. It’s not even logical. Common sense people!!

6. Jesus did not hang out with sinners in wicked venues to have fun with them. 

Jesus ate with sinners while teaching them, with the sole purpose of reaching them. He never participated in their sins, and he never went to places of wickedness to reach them. He ate with them. He preached to them. He taught them.

“Well my child is representing Christ at the prom.” That would be like going to a bar to hang out with your friends in hopes you’ll reach them. You won’t reach the lost by participating in their sin; you’ll reach them by being like Christ.

7. “Just let them enjoy their childhood!” 

Yes, someone actually said this to me because I forgot that if your child doesn’t go to prom their whole childhood will be ruined…. I never went to prom. None of my siblings went to prom. None of my church friends growing up went to prom. We had a perfectly fine childhood. Last I checked, prom wasn’t a prerequisite for a happy childhood. Not to mention this argument basically is saying give the kid something sinful, or he won’t be happy.

8. Prom is basically a night club for teenagers. 

Look, I realize that your prom 45 years ago might not have been like this, but this is 2018. Parents, I dare you to go to a prom and secretly watch it, or just watch one on YouTube. You won’t find much difference between the downtown night club and your local prom except without the alcohol. That’s just at the after parties.

9. Modern dancing is the lust of the flesh. 

1 John 2:16 KJV
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

I love it when Christians try to justify modern dancing because David danced. Oh yea, because I forgot that David was bumping and grinding against the women while dancing in the street praising God while jamming to Lady Gaga… Come on people! Modern dancing and traditional cultural dancing are two completely different things. The dancing that takes place at most proms is sex moves with their clothes on. It’s absolutely vulgar. It’s sensual,  and it’s sexual. The dance moves your teenager is doing are not much different than the stripper’s. Stop with this bologna that modern day dancing is innocent! It’s wicked!

10. “I want them to go to prom so they will learn to resist the temptation to do wrong.”

I’ve heard this argument from parents many times. If this is what you believe please show me in the Bible where it says we should place our children, much less ourselves, in the path of sin to make us stronger Christians?! I’ll wait…….

While I’m waiting I’ll show you what the Bible says.

2 Timothy 2:22 KJV

[22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

God says to flee youthful lusts. Run away from them. The best thing you can to is to shelter your children from sin while they are still under your protection and roof.

Your children don’t need to be exposed to sin. God says this,

Romans 16:19 KJV

[19] For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

We are to be simple concerning evil.

As Christians we shouldn’t make it our goal to expose our children to sin. They will see it enough once they become adults.

11. Unmarried people shouldn’t be touching all over each other.

The Bible says In 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 KJV,

[1] Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

The word, “touch” in this verse is a touch that lights a fire in the heart. A touch that kindles something that can’t be righteously fulfilled. As a teenager is hanging all over and rubbing their body against their girlfriend or boyfriend they are creating desire that can’t be righteously fulfilled.

12. The headache of “innocent” fun. 

I’ve worked with teenagers for 12+ years. Sin is deceitful. Sin is subtle. Satan always starts with something little then draws you in. Then before you know it, your 14 year old kid is hooked on drugs, or your 16 year old girl is pregnant. I’ve been around the block a few times working in ministry. Trust me when I say there is nothing good from your child going to prom. I’ve seen enough teenagers’ lives ruined because of sin. I hate sin. I hate what sin does to people. I love people. I love you enough to tell you the truth even if you hate me for it.

 Parents, please love your children enough to make the hard decisions. You will not regret protecting your children. If they live under your roof your children should obey your rules regardless of how old they are.