December 13, 2018

Bad Behavior

But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

– Luke 3:19-20

We don’t want anyone to point out our sin to us. We get defensive. We blame them. We’re good at pointing fingers but don’t you dare say anything about our own behavior.

That extends to others. This political climate we’re in amazes and distresses me. A common defense is we can’t hold one person accountable for their sins because of the sins of another person. What’s that old cliché? Two wrongs don’t make a right. Someone else’s wrong behavior doesn’t justify your behavior or the behavior of someone you support in the political arena.

How many times have we heard a child explain their behavior with “everyone” was doing it? It’s as though going along with the crowd makes wrong behavior okay. That excuse isn’t limited to kids. Adults do it too.

Think about the excuses you or others offer up: Everyone was drinking; Everyone was padding their expense accounts; everyone was making derogatory comments; everyone was doing whatever they wanted.

Herod was no exception. He was in charge. How dare John the Baptist – or anyone – question whatever he wanted to do? He wanted his brother’s wife. It didn’t matter what John said. It didn’t matter what God said. It didn’t matter what anyone thought or said. It was all about what Herod wanted.

John the Baptist was brave enough to call him out on it. John refused to remain silent even though it cost him his life

Do you remain silent when you see wrong doing? We don’t want to get involved. We judge. It’s not that. We just don’t want to suffer for it. We’d rather voice our opinions, our judgments, behind someone’s back or as a political rant, than to actually go face-to-face with someone.

We don’t want to be criticized or condemned for offering up our “opinions.” A few months ago a friend once again shared and commented on ugly political views. There’s no truth to the allegations she shares but she believes it. That’s her choice. But someone else called her out on it. They were nice but they asked why her comments were so hateful and mean. They wanted to know why she thought it was okay.

She offered up the standard opinion response. I admired the woman who challenged her. She is braver than I. Or maybe I know this woman well enough to know that only Jesus can change her heart. She is a wonderful Christian woman, with a good heart, who prays and tries to live as Jesus lived. Until it comes to politics.

But here’s something else I noticed: After the exchange, she stopped sharing so much ugliness. Oh, every now and then, she’ll share something hateful but mostly she doesn’t anymore. I hope it’s because the Holy Spirit convicted her.

It’s not about opinions. Everyone has a right to their own opinions. It’s about passing on untruths that are mean and bigoted and justifying bad behavior as your opinion. It’s like Herod believing because he was the ruler, he could do what he knew was wrong.

When someone starts pointing the finger at someone else, pause before you chime in. It could just be that the one full of condemnation is only trying to cover up their own sins.

October 2, 2018

Make A Different Choice

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

The party was loud and wild. Drunk teens stumbling to their cars. Disrobed teens scattered around the front yard. Young men using a decorative fountain as a urinal. And the police not responding because, well, no one wants to take on one of the town’s “elite” families.

Where were the parents? It’s an obvious question. No one seems to know. It wasn’t the first time such a party occurred. In fact, the party were back the next night.

Sadly, many of these kids are “Christians.” They were raised in church. They attend church. They have all the right clothes, gadgets and cars. They have every advantage but one: They apparently don’t have parents who supervise and hold them accountable for bad behavior.

Why? Another obvious question. It’s difficult to condemn what you do on a regular basis. Oh, they might not do it in public but the teens see the drunken revelry in their own homes. They hear the sexual comments. They know about the affairs, the parties, the driving when drunk.

I wish I didn’t know all these things. I wish it were something in another town, another neighborhood, another family. But it happened right here. It still happens. When will it end? How many lives must be destroyed before someone says enough?

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

– Ephesians 6:4

Some of the parents are quick to point the finger at others. They demand that God be placed back in the schools. I can only shake my head. They need, first, to put God back in their homes. They need, first, to clean themselves up and be an example to their kids of how people of faith should live. They should be the example of upright living and not of debauchery.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

But whether parents do their job or not, teens can and must rise above bad examples and live upright lives that are dedicated to God. Parents can learn from their children. They can see good and change. Kids shouldn’t have to lead the way but, make no mistake, they can.

This is a sad situation that plays out far too often in way too many towns. Teens, refuse to be sucked in by peer pressure. And parents, step up and set a better example. Stop blaming others when your kids get in trouble because they’re following in your footsteps.

Every day begins anew with a chance to take a different path. Take it.