Of course, it was wrong to cross those lines, and we need to repent of any sins in our pasts, but it is NOT hypocritical to teach what is right to our children. It would be hypocritical to condemn them and disown them because of their choices, whether we made the same mistakes in our youth or not. God has forgiven each of us for so much, we do not have the right to respond in anger and fierce judgment at others' sins.
However, teaching the truth and what is right is our responsibility as parents.
Also, forgiving ourselves once God has forgiven us is also our responsibility. I've seen too many parents hang on to guilt and feelings of failure for their pasts. In Christ, we are new creations. I believe that doesn't just apply to the moment of salvation, but to the continuing work of salvation in our lives. We are consistently becoming new creations as we grow and continue our Christian walks.
Society is certainly teaching our children what it thinks, and most of the time, that isn't the same as what the Bible teaches. Children are being "sexualized" from a very early age in our culture today, and it is not good. So, are we going to sit back and let the world teach and shape our children because we're uncomfortable or guilt-ridden? Or worse yet, because the biblical point of view is not politically correct? I hope not.
1. Ask God for forgiveness, if you haven't already, for choices you've made in your past or are making in your present that do not honor Him and follow His ways. Truly repent and turn away from your sins.
2. Forgive yourself and accept His forgiveness.
3. If possible, confess your struggles to someone trustworthy if you are still struggling with sexual purity.
4. Teach your children the ways of God in everything including sexuality.
5. Cherish sex as the gift it is and the intimacy it is meant to bring to your marriage.
6. Guard your heart and mind from temptation. Flee from it!
God is good, and His gifts are good. The world has tried to warp and change God's gifts. Through teaching God's truth, we can help redeem His gifts for future generations to know how to honor God with their bodies, their relationships, and their sexuality.
Here is an excellent resource for information and for sharing with your older children regarding pornography: https://fightthenewdrug.org/
A sermon from Greg Laurie: https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/webcast/watch/gods-plan-for-sex-and-marriage
One of the best sermons I ever heard about sexuality from Willie George from Church on the Move: https://s3.amazonaws.com/cotm-podcast/201205/InTheZonePART6.mp3?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJGCC7FXYO4AQTV6Q&Expires=1532409000&Signature=AGsQCCFoMpU5rIgIst%2FhL04H6rI%3D
