2 John 7-11
Many liars have gone out into the world. These deceitful liars are saying that Jesus Christ did not have a truly human body. But they are liars and the enemies of Christ. So be sure not to lose what we have worked for. If you do, you won’t be given your full reward. Don’t keep changing what you were taught about Christ, or else God will no longer be with you. But if you hold firmly to what you were taught, both the Father and the Son will be with you. If people won’t agree to this teaching, don’t welcome them into your home or even greet them. Greeting them is the same as taking part in their evil deeds.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Social media is wonderful for certain purposes…sharing photos of family members, keeping people updated when someone is sick and needs prayer, reveling in victories over decades-old football foes…and much more. But this venue is also a hotbed of venomous attacks, untruths, malicious gossip, and other evils. Because of the latter, I have had to “unfriend” a few people on Facebook.
This has cost me more than one “friendship”…and maybe you have had the same experience. But here’s the thing…by allowing posts from those people to appear on my “feed”, I feel I am quietly condoning their sentiments. If even one person sees these ugly things and thinks, “She must feel the same way”…I have failed in my Christian discipleship.
We cannot live our lives in a vacuum…and yes, associating with “deceitful liars” offers those folks a chance to see Jesus in us and the way we conduct our lives. But they can observe this from a distance. You can demonstrate a life filled with truth, grace, mercy, tolerance, love, compassion, respect, and redemption from sin through the blood of Jesus without hanging around those who behave differently. The balance is delicate…but with prayerful consideration, you can be a loving Light for Christ – and turn your back to evil at the same time.
As 2014 comes to a close, this might be a good time to “clean up the list”…to evaluate our “friendships” and associations and see if we are holding tightly to the teachings of Jesus…or if we have taken part in evil deeds – if only by default. Will 2015 be a year when we focus more on Jesus…and less on the world and its ways? This is my resolution…what’s yours?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label guilt by association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guilt by association. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 26, 2013
March 26 ~ Proverbs 20:7, 11
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I recently heard a discussion about child rearing – and more specifically, methods of discipline. An “expert” was asked how she felt about spanking, and she stated that she did not feel it was appropriate. Others in the group noted that they were spanked as children, and this did not harm them in the long run. The “expert” explained her position by saying that things are different for today’s children. She said, “The world is teaching our children – through television, movies, the Internet and other outside influences. We need to give them wisdom and show them what is right.” She contended that now – more than ever – we need to teach our children how to live and behave with words and examples… not with physical discipline.
This example is not meant to stir a discussion on the pros and cons of spanking. But as I listened to this woman speak… and I read these verses from Proverbs… I was struck by the importance of our example to children in all things – especially in terms of today’s world. My cousin told me recently that she cannot allow her children to watch “regular TV,” because it is such a poor influence on them. We have become so numb to foul language, violence and inappropriate sexual situations on prime time and daytime television that we don’t even notice what our children are seeing and hearing… until we get into a public situation and the little ones spout some expletive (in correct context) or bring up a situation that we are appalled to realize is even on their radar screen! We have gotten so used to commercials for adult health and hygiene products during our nightly news that we don’t even notice them… until our kids come to us and want to know why we need XYZ product!
I’m afraid that there are far too many situations where we tell our children – and those who are not-so-young – to “do as I say, not as I do.” When I was teaching, I had a rule that “I won’t believe everything I hear from your child, if you don’t believe everything they come home and tell you.” And I stand by this statement, because I know that children have vivid imaginations and a propensity for embellishment. But at the same time, we must pay attention to the words and actions of children, because they tell us a lot about the purity of their upbringing and the integrity of their home.
I know I say this a lot, but people are watching! They notice what you say and do, and they assess your moral character – your integrity – according to your words and actions. They also gauge uprightness by how your children and those with whom you associate conduct themselves. If you accept the inappropriate or immoral behaviors of others, it speaks to your own values and integrity. We must walk away from inappropriate conversations… we must not share off-color jokes or bigoted comments – we must guard what our children see and hear and make a concerted effort to teach them to live with honesty and decency. We must mean what we say and do… and guard against hypocrisy.
When others look at your children… or your friends and associates… what do they see? What do their behaviors and attitudes say about you as their friend, parent, or mentor? Do you walk with integrity that extends to others in your “circle” of influence? Shouldn’t you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I recently heard a discussion about child rearing – and more specifically, methods of discipline. An “expert” was asked how she felt about spanking, and she stated that she did not feel it was appropriate. Others in the group noted that they were spanked as children, and this did not harm them in the long run. The “expert” explained her position by saying that things are different for today’s children. She said, “The world is teaching our children – through television, movies, the Internet and other outside influences. We need to give them wisdom and show them what is right.” She contended that now – more than ever – we need to teach our children how to live and behave with words and examples… not with physical discipline.
This example is not meant to stir a discussion on the pros and cons of spanking. But as I listened to this woman speak… and I read these verses from Proverbs… I was struck by the importance of our example to children in all things – especially in terms of today’s world. My cousin told me recently that she cannot allow her children to watch “regular TV,” because it is such a poor influence on them. We have become so numb to foul language, violence and inappropriate sexual situations on prime time and daytime television that we don’t even notice what our children are seeing and hearing… until we get into a public situation and the little ones spout some expletive (in correct context) or bring up a situation that we are appalled to realize is even on their radar screen! We have gotten so used to commercials for adult health and hygiene products during our nightly news that we don’t even notice them… until our kids come to us and want to know why we need XYZ product!
I’m afraid that there are far too many situations where we tell our children – and those who are not-so-young – to “do as I say, not as I do.” When I was teaching, I had a rule that “I won’t believe everything I hear from your child, if you don’t believe everything they come home and tell you.” And I stand by this statement, because I know that children have vivid imaginations and a propensity for embellishment. But at the same time, we must pay attention to the words and actions of children, because they tell us a lot about the purity of their upbringing and the integrity of their home.
I know I say this a lot, but people are watching! They notice what you say and do, and they assess your moral character – your integrity – according to your words and actions. They also gauge uprightness by how your children and those with whom you associate conduct themselves. If you accept the inappropriate or immoral behaviors of others, it speaks to your own values and integrity. We must walk away from inappropriate conversations… we must not share off-color jokes or bigoted comments – we must guard what our children see and hear and make a concerted effort to teach them to live with honesty and decency. We must mean what we say and do… and guard against hypocrisy.
When others look at your children… or your friends and associates… what do they see? What do their behaviors and attitudes say about you as their friend, parent, or mentor? Do you walk with integrity that extends to others in your “circle” of influence? Shouldn’t you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 3, 2010
Psalm 28:3
Don't drag me away, LORD, with those cruel people, who speak kind words, while planning trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever uttered the words, “I hope nobody sees me here,” or “I was there, but I was not participating,” this passage is for you. For years, I have been telling others, particularly teenagers and young children, “Whether you are doing anything wrong or not, if you are with those who are, you are likely to be accused, also.” But this has merit for adults, too.
When we go to a sporting event and sit on the sidelines, don’t people naturally assume that we are sitting on the side of “our” team? When you attend a particular church or belong to a certain club, don’t people assume you believe in the tenets of that group? So if we go to a party where people are engaged in underage drinking or doing drugs, doesn’t it appear we are involved… or at the very least that we approve? When you laugh at a joke or comment that is obscene or disrespects a particular race, ethnicity, or lifestyle, doesn’t this imply you agree? When you gossip or talk badly about someone, don’t those in the group have to ask themselves, “What does he/she say about me when I’m not around?”
Ask God to show you where you should spend time… with whom you should keep company… when you should walk away from improper comments – or speak up against them… and how to conduct yourself in a manner that pleases Him. Talk to God and see where He wants you to hang out and how He wishes for you to handle challenging situations.
It is important that we keep all of our behavior in check. People are watching, and what we say and do matters! Are you pleasing God with your words and actions? Has He rescued you from the potential for trouble?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Don't drag me away, LORD, with those cruel people, who speak kind words, while planning trouble.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever uttered the words, “I hope nobody sees me here,” or “I was there, but I was not participating,” this passage is for you. For years, I have been telling others, particularly teenagers and young children, “Whether you are doing anything wrong or not, if you are with those who are, you are likely to be accused, also.” But this has merit for adults, too.
When we go to a sporting event and sit on the sidelines, don’t people naturally assume that we are sitting on the side of “our” team? When you attend a particular church or belong to a certain club, don’t people assume you believe in the tenets of that group? So if we go to a party where people are engaged in underage drinking or doing drugs, doesn’t it appear we are involved… or at the very least that we approve? When you laugh at a joke or comment that is obscene or disrespects a particular race, ethnicity, or lifestyle, doesn’t this imply you agree? When you gossip or talk badly about someone, don’t those in the group have to ask themselves, “What does he/she say about me when I’m not around?”
Ask God to show you where you should spend time… with whom you should keep company… when you should walk away from improper comments – or speak up against them… and how to conduct yourself in a manner that pleases Him. Talk to God and see where He wants you to hang out and how He wishes for you to handle challenging situations.
It is important that we keep all of our behavior in check. People are watching, and what we say and do matters! Are you pleasing God with your words and actions? Has He rescued you from the potential for trouble?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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