Nancy Hughes: Innocent bystanders

“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Matthew 18:6 (NIV)

Subbing at school is always entertaining and a bit interesting – especially in the younger grades. A few weeks ago I subbed in a 5th grade classroom in the morning and in a 2nd grade classroom in the afternoon.

My conversation with a little boy in the afternoon class as I walked in the door went like this:
“Who are you?”
“Your sub for the afternoon.”
“Why weren’t you here this morning?”
“I was subbing in 5th grade.”
“Hey! I have a friend in 5th grade!”
“You do? What’s his name?”
“His first name is Donald.”
“I don’t think I had anyone in my class by that name. What is his last name?”
He paused and thought for a couple of seconds. Then an ah-ha moment:
“I think his last name is Trump.”
Comment from the boy beside him: “Your friend is on TV??!!”

Can I share with you that I laughed off and on for about 30 minutes? I did. But then something occurred to me.

Obviously these two little boys had seen and heard some of the political news – who hasn’t? But I realized that they were probably just “innocent bystanders” to what they were hearing and seeing at home.

Then I found myself asking a simple question: what are children hearing and seeing when adults are having other conversations at home?

For example, the phone rings and Mom whispers to Dad “Tell them I’m not here right now.” Or perhaps Dad gets too much money back from a purchase at a store and he laughs “I’m not saying anything – it’s their mistake!”

And the children watch and listen. And learn.

Today’s Scripture from Matthew 18:6 is a crystal clear caution from Jesus. He says “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Wow. Jesus doesn’t get more direct than that.
We, parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, have a responsibility to guard what our little ones hear and see every day. No, we will not be able to shield them from everything that can hurt them spiritually but we can make sure that we are not directing them toward sin by our actions. Our actions. Our words. Our example.

We may not think they are listening and watching but they are. And if we are not careful with our words and conversations, we could easily lead them in the wrong direction spiritually.

I encourage you to guard the hearts of your children. Begin by guarding what you say and do. Innocent bystanders are always watching and listening.

Father, please convict me of any actions that would cause a little one around me to fall into sin. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

Have you ever been speaking about someone in an unchristian way and then realized that your children were watching and listening?

Application

In your journal make three columns. Write “example” at the top of the first column and write “Christ-like” above the second column. Above the third column write “Scripture.”

Now list a few sentences about conversations you have had or television or movies you have watched with your children listening, under “example” and place either a + or a – under the “Christ-like” column.

If you have placed a – after any sentence, look up Scripture references to help you get re-directed and write them in the third column.

Power Verses

Matthew 18:6 (NIV) “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Psalm 19:14 (NIV) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

I Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Mark 10:14 (NIV) “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’”

Proverbs 17:6 (NIV) “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing and information about her books, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)