You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught

A new devotion “Carefully Taught” looks at how our conversations can pass discouragement on to the younger generations by our choice of words, generalizations, or attempts to make a joke.  Instead let’s be conscience of the words we choose and how we say things to ensure that our kids are carefully taught how to value others and themselves and share God’s love. 

THOUGHT: 

Recently, I have, unfortunately, been privy to conversations that included prejudicial slanders and/or assumptions that, upon reflection, are so painful and destructive. They were not blatant at all but were, instead, insidious in nature. Statements or observations that were made in jest for a snicker or generalizations that were expected to be part of the norm. Conversations of this nature are overheard in many situations in this world, yet the most painful part of these recent occurrences is that fact that fellow Christians were the participants. The worst part for me is that I don’t always speak up and attempt to correct the conversation. I often will try to divert attention or change the subject, but I am guilty of allowing my embarrassment to drive the indecisiveness of allowing such a concept to be fostered. Each week in Sunday School, I see the glowing faces of young Christians as they eagerly learn the Word of God. Their faces, skin color, ethnic heritage, and cultural aspects are as different as they could possibly be. When I hear conversations that use a joke to passively harm someone, child, or adult, in such a way; it makes my heart ache. We all know that children pick up everything. They see things, hear things, and feel things much more than we can even imagine. So, I ask you; what are we teaching them?

Let’s go directly to The Word to see how God feels about it:

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

John 3:16

Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Romans 2:11

For God shows no partiality

Leviticus 19:33-34

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

It is so easy to turn on the television or go on social media or most importantly, be in a lunch conversation with friends and hear such inappropriate words, concepts, and ideas. If it is on social media of some sort, it must be true, right? It is OK to laugh at, right?

Sometimes it is not derogatory at all but instead reeks of discouragement. We hear of someone attempting to take the high road and be above the fray but are yanked back down by words that tear down. The root word of Discouragement is “courage.”  When someone attempts to hurt someone else or even inadvertently joke about someone, it is in effect, stealing that person’s courage or self-esteem.

We, as adults, need to take the high road, “…the road less traveled” in our conversations. Children, being curious and observant, “listen” to us. They hear much more than we want to admit. Now, they can either hear us build each other up or they can suffer through the demeaning rhetoric we utilize to make jokes or make a point.

During the crucifixion agony, the authorities tried several times to force Jesus to say things He was unwilling to say, at least at that specific moment. He knew the right words were to be saved for the right time. Even to His own demise. Jesus often addressed the way that people are demeaned by others and lied to or about.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. —Ephesians 4:29—

Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:25—

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

 

Below are the lyrics to a song from the Broadway show “South Pacific” and a link to a video of the song. Let’s take a moment to listen to these words and attempt to be self-reflective as to our motives in how we choose our words. The next time we are tempted to tell a joke, or spread gossip, or assume something aloud, maybe the depth of Jesus’ teaching and/or the truth of His Actions will help us to stop, think, and decide what to say. Others are waiting and listening to our decisions.

 

PRAYER: 

God, Creator of Language. I plead with You for the patience to be careful with my words. I pray for forethought and understanding of the impact of my words. Thank You God for the gift of language. I ask for the gift of silence when it is the better choice. AMEN.

 

Following is a link to Youtube and the Broadway show “South Pacific”  https://youtu.be/VPf6ITsjsgk

 

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GOD, WE PRAY THAT WE ARE ALL CAREFULLY TAUGHT BY YOU.

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