A Parent’s Guide to Taylor Swift

Helping Our Kids See the Difference Between Worldly Love and Biblical Love

Taylor Swift’s newest album release reminded me of something deeply important for us as Christian parents: we can’t simply sit back and ignore what’s shaping the minds and hearts of our children. We don’t need to be fearful or reactionary, but we do need to be watchful. God calls us to shepherd the next generation—and that includes helping them think carefully about what they see and hear.

Few artists today have the kind of cultural power that Taylor Swift holds. Her songs are everywhere, and her influence is undeniable. But as parents, we have to ask: Is it a good influence?

I know that for many families, her songs play in the background of everyday life—around the house, in the car, through earbuds. This isn’t about guilt or finger-pointing; it’s about awareness. Before we hand over our children’s hearts to any artist or message, we should pause and ask: What is being planted there?

My goal isn’t to tell you what you can or can’t listen to. It’s to help us think biblically—to train our children to discern truth from deception and to guard their hearts from the subtle lies that so easily shape our loves and desires.

Taylor Swift is just one example of a much bigger conversation. The same biblical wisdom applies to almost every influence in our culture today. So let’s take a look together at what her music is really saying.

The Message Beneath the Music

In her 2019 hit “You Need to Calm Down,” Swift sings:

“Why are you mad?When you could be GLAAD? (You could be GLAAD)Sunshine on the street at the paradeBut you would rather be in the dark agesMaking that sign, must’ve taken all night.”

The word GLAAD refers to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Kevin Wax, writing for The Gospel Coalition, observed that the lyric about being “in the dark ages” captures the heart of the modern sexual revolution—the idea that moral progress comes from embracing more and more sexual “freedom.”

In her own documentary, Taylor Swift said, “I need to be on the right side of history,” expressing disdain for those who hold to biblical convictions about marriage and sexuality. In her view, those who believe intimacy belongs within marriage between a man and a woman are out of step with progress.

This isn’t just cultural commentary—it’s a moral message. It redefines love, goodness, and truth according to the standards of the world.

The Celebration of Sensuality

Beyond lyrics, Taylor Swift’s music videos often celebrate sensuality through suggestive clothing and choreography. These visuals teach powerful lessons—especially to impressionable hearts—about what it means to be desirable, confident, and successful.

As Christian parents, we have an opportunity to talk with our kids about what true beauty and strength really are. The world often presents the body as a tool for attention or power, but Scripture gives us a far better picture. Our bodies are not objects for display; they are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19–20), designed to glorify God and reflect His goodness.

True freedom doesn’t come from flaunting our bodies—it comes from surrendering them to God. The world calls sensuality “empowerment,” but in reality, it enslaves us to the opinions of others. Holiness, on the other hand, is beautiful and freeing. It’s what we were made for.

Our goal isn’t to shame or shelter, but to shepherd. When we help our children understand why God calls us to purity, they begin to see that His design isn’t restrictive—it’s protective, loving, and full of joy.

The Hidden Message in Style and Movement

As parents, we also need to help our children think about what artists are communicating—not just through their lyrics, but through how they present themselves. The way Taylor Swift dresses and moves on stage sends a message that often mirrors what our culture believes about beauty and confidence.

Her performances frequently rely on sensual movements and revealing clothing to capture attention. Whether she intends it or not, that communicates to millions of young viewers that to be admired, you must also be desired. The message is subtle but powerful: your worth is tied to how you look and how much attention you can draw.

This is not a personal attack on Taylor Swift—it’s a cultural reality. The entertainment industry thrives on selling attraction and using the human body as a means of influence. But as followers of Christ, we know that our bodies were never meant to be used for self-promotion or seduction. They are, as Scripture says, “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19–20)—sacred spaces meant to reflect God’s beauty, not the world’s standards.

This false picture of beauty harms both our sons and our daughters.

• For young men, it trains the eyes to see women as objects to consume rather than image-bearers to honor.

• For young women, it creates pressure to gain approval by becoming what the world calls “confident” rather than what God calls holy.

The world tells us that freedom means self-expression without boundaries. But in God’s design, freedom comes through devotion—through using our bodies and our creativity to glorify Him. True confidence doesn’t come from being admired; it comes from knowing you are already accepted and loved by Christ.

Parents, this gives us a wonderful opportunity—not to shame, but to shepherd. When our children see performances like this, we can gently ask, “What do you think this artist is trying to say about beauty, confidence, or love?” These are the kinds of conversations that help form hearts rooted in truth.

Worldly vs. Biblical Love

Taylor Swift’s songs often center on love—but it’s a love defined by emotion, self-expression, and desire. It says, “Follow your heart,” even if that heart leads you away from God.

But Scripture tells a different story. True love doesn’t begin with us—it begins with God. “For God so loved the world, He gave” (John 3:16). His love isn’t about self-gratification; it’s about self-giving.

Our culture says love is about what feels good. But biblical love is about what is good. It’s not self-seeking, it’s self-sacrificing. It doesn’t say, “I’ll love you if…”—it says, “I love you, even when…”

As parents, our calling is to teach this kind of love early. It doesn’t start in high school—it starts in the high chair. When our kids learn what real love looks like, they’re better equipped to see through the world’s counterfeits.

Teaching Our Children the Marks of Biblical Love

When we talk about love with our children, we want to give them more than slogans like “be kind” or “follow your heart.” We want them to see what real love looks like through the eyes of Scripture. God defines love not by how it feels, but by what it does. Here are three truths every child should learn about love:

1. Love Is Unconditional

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

Help your children see that God’s love doesn’t depend on how good we are or how well we perform. He loved us when we were still sinners. That means real love doesn’t say, “I’ll love you if…” or “I’ll be kind as long as you deserve it.”

Talk with your kids about how this kind of love looks in everyday life:

• Loving a sibling even when they’re difficult.

• Showing kindness to a classmate who’s left out.

• Forgiving someone instead of holding a grudge.

Teach them that love like God’s is a choice, not a reward—it’s grace in action.

2. Love Is Sacrificial

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

Jesus didn’t just tell us to love—He showed us what it costs. True love gives, even when it’s hard. It means putting someone else’s needs before our own.

Ask your children, “What does it mean to give up something for someone else?” It might be sharing a toy, letting someone else go first, or helping when they’d rather play. These small acts prepare their hearts for the bigger sacrifices that real love requires.

Remind them that love isn’t about getting what we want; it’s about reflecting Jesus, who gave everything for us.

3. Love Is Never-Ending

“Love never ends.” — 1 Corinthians 13:8

Human love can fade when feelings change, but God’s love never does. That’s why our love should be rooted in Him, not in emotion or convenience.

Tell your children: “When God loves you, He never stops. He doesn’t quit when you fail or walk away.” Then connect it to how we love others: “That’s how we should love too—steadily, patiently, faithfully.”

Help them see that lasting love is possible only because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). The more we understand His love, the more we can show it to others.

Putting It All Together

Biblical love is unconditional, sacrificial, and enduring. It doesn’t come naturally—it’s something God grows in us through His Spirit. When we teach our children to recognize and practice this kind of love, we’re giving them a foundation that will protect them from the world’s counterfeits and point them to the One who is love Himself.

Why This Matters for Our Kids

Modern media constantly preaches a false gospel of love—one that says fulfillment comes from following desire. But the Bible teaches that joy comes from following Christ.

When our children understand true love, they won’t be easily swayed by imitations. They’ll see that joy isn’t found in using people but in serving them, not in sensual pleasure but in spiritual faithfulness.

Our goal isn’t to create fear—it’s to cultivate discernment. We want our homes to be places where truth, beauty, and holiness are celebrated more loudly than the world’s noise.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Music and Media

1. Start with Curiosity, Not Condemnation

   Ask your kids what they like about a song or artist before sharing your concerns. Conversations that begin with listening often lead to hearts that are willing to hear truth.
   

2. Compare Messages with Scripture Teach them to ask questions like: What is this song celebrating? What does God say about that? Help them see how the Bible offers a better story.
   

3. Celebrate What Is Good and Beautiful Fill your home with music, art, and stories that reflect God’s truth and goodness. Show your children that holiness isn’t boring—it’s beautiful.
   

4. Lead by Example What we consume shapes us too. Let your kids see you choosing what is pure and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). Our example preaches louder than any warning ever could.
   

A Final Word

Parents, you don’t have to be experts on pop culture—you just need to be faithful guides. The world will always sing about love, freedom, and happiness. But we have the privilege of showing our children a better song—the gospel story, where love gives, forgives, and never ends.

Let’s help our families delight in what is good, true, and beautiful, so that when the world sings its lies, our children’s hearts are already full of the truth.