Education Institution: Edifying or Not?

   College is one of the largest institutions available. I am 19, graduated high school with honors, received many scholarships, but I decided not to go directly to college after graduation. Why? I simply was not ready for such an environment. Over the summer (before my fall semester of college would have started), I went through a spiritual change following my mentor showing me how much I really didn't know about being a true Christian. I didn't know a prophet from a priest! Certainly, I was not prepared to be "salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13) when I had no idea what that even meant. Christians must always keep God's will at the forefront of their actions; stop and ponder Is this God's plan or my plan that I want Him to agree with? That being said, you might find that it is not important for your child to attend a university or other. Higher education is indeed helpful and has its validity; however, it isn't for everyone. No one's life path is the same.
   Teenagers in high school hear the question "What college are you going to?" so often that going to college seems like more of an assumed plan than a mere option. As the years go by, kids (especially those in public schools) are pressured to make plans for their future. I can recall as early as elementary school a teacher asking a five-year-old me what I wanted to be when I "grow up" and my answer was simply "a model." Though I have always had an affinity for fashion, there was no way I would ever become a model. I am not tall enough, not quite thin enough, and surely not willing to get nude in front of strangers. God did not call me to that job. So why does God have the final say? Well, being a Christian, I believe that God is my Lord and Savior, which means that He has complete authority over my life (yes, even the decisions I make) and He always will. It is a hard pill to swallow, but it is absolute truth, so I completely stand by that truth. I know that I am in the right place at the moment because God revealed it to me in His word and confirmed it.
   Institutions have a long history of influence on modern culture. People around the world have gone to college, are attending college, or plan to attend college; whether it is a two-year or eight-year program- everyone wants to go to school. Feeding into the hungry minds of young people, institutions continue to create more degree programs that may attract greater crowds. There is something mesmerizing and triumphant about having degrees and accolades to put on one's resume'. It seems that the motives for higher education are selfish. Everyone wants to be recognized, even though a large number of students are not even sure why they attended or how their degree correlates with their natural talents.
   Where is God in the midst of public education? There is a particular quote by Martin Luther that I love:

"I am much afraid that schools will prove to be great gates of hell,
unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures,
engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place
his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every
institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with
...the Word of God must become corrupt."

This passage should be made known to every Christian who truly wishes their children the best. It is not ambiguous that schools have a history of corruption; Martin Luther lived centuries ago, yet he observed the same situation in educational institutions that I see right now! Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes 1:9 "There is nothing new under the sun..." is surely evident here. If you are a Christian, you should know that you are responsible for teaching your children the Scriptures consistently (see Deuteronomy 6: 6-9). Having attended many public schools and graduated from one, I can confirm that there is no such instruction in God's word. As a child develops into an adult and continues in a public school education, their morals are deeply rooted in what the world says. Christians should not be subject to such degeneration.
   My conclusion is "home is where the heart is." A child's heart (beliefs, emotions, and characterisics) should not be molded by society. The world is full of wolves waiting to prey on an innocent babe, and a sincere parent would not wish death on their child, but that is exactly what is being done by sending them out to be taught by strangers. Spiritual death is the end result of a child with no God-given direction. Corruption in educational institutions is exponentially rising. You may need the job training, or you may not benefit from it by risking your morality. All that being said, I pray that you will consider your role in your children's lives, if you are a parent, or where your goals of knowledge should be aimed, if you are a student.

God bless and I wish you the best!