“We are drowning our youngsters in violence, cynicism and sadism piped into our homes and even the nursery. The grandchildren of the kids who used to weep because the Little Match Girl froze to death now feel cheated (un-entertained) if she isn’t slugged, raped and thrown into a Bessemer converter, ” Jenkin Lloyd Jones once said.

Jenkin wrote that 60 years ago. Imagine what he would say about the things that we pipe into our lives today.

From the blood and violence of war to the hate and indifference of a kindless society, much of what assaults us online appeals to our base natures. The real question is, can you filter the destructive voices so that you can clearly hear the voice of the Good Shepherd? Are you a follower of His?

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”

Years ago, a visitor saw the shepherds in Nazareth bring their flocks to water them at the well. When the sheep had drunk their fill, the shepherds each called and their sheep followed them. The visitor asked the shepherds if the sheep always followed their own shepherds.

“Yes,” said a shepherd, “except under one condition.”

“What is that?”

“The sheep that do not follow the voice of their shepherd are the sick sheep. If a sheep is healthy, it will always follow the shepherd, but if there is something wrong with the sheep, it will follow anybody.”

How healthy are you? How healthy are our youngsters?

I know people, I’m afraid, people who believe — and yet who are so unfamiliar with the voice of Jesus — so unfamiliar with the Word of God that they check up on the astrology section of their newsfeed for a hint of what they should do that day rather than turning to the Scriptures and to prayer, and to the indwelling Spirit of God for counsel and advice. What kind of belief is this? To what flock do such people really belong?

We must filter carefully indeed the potions of this world, or we can be self-poisoned over time. Just as without the proper filters for the liquids that run a car: motor oil, hydraulic, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and fuel, the motor would be short lived. These liquids must be kept pure and uncontaminated. That is the only way to give a motor long life. Keep the filters clean! Otherwise the particulates and metal filings in the oil contaminate the successful lubrication and cooling of the engine parts.

We all need filter maintenance. We need to filter what comes into our minds and hearts, and carefully refilter what comes out of our mouths. Filters help extend the purity of our thoughts and our words. We need to be careful of our thoughts — they may break into words at the worst moment. We must practice filtering and teach our youngsters to do the same, because ours is a confusing time. Be Safe! And as Jesus taught, Be Careful!

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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from Pastor Taylor Camerer of Great Island Presbyterian Church, Lock Haven.