We all know how it goes. While hanging out with our peers, someone turns on an offensive movie.
“You don’t mind, do you?” they ask.
Suddenly, we’re faced with a choice: Lie and look cool, or stand up for our faith. Sadly, many times the outcome ends uncomfortably, with us trying our best not to listen to or watch what appears on the screen. I’ve been there. We tell ourselves that if we protest, we’ll ruin the night.
Everybody knows that the others do not understand our standards. Besides, they probably do not own media we approve of.
Right?
Maybe. But behind the surface of temptation lies an entire world of influence that we rarely tap into. In my freshman year of high school, I sat in a Spanish II class listening to my classmates talk about sex and relationships. Deciding to voice my opinion, I shared my heart on the issue, explaining how God’s way is always the best way when it comes to love.
Surprisingly for me, many of the kids had never heard my approach to the subject. Pretty soon, the entire class listened as I explained the benefits of physical and emotional abstinence. Every type of student filled that room. Before I knew what happened, their common desire for truth brought them together.
My teacher later told me of an encounter with the student that asked the most questions during our discussion. He told her that he really respected my views, even if he did not completely agree.
God calls us to be bold, yet gentle. We live like Jesus through our actions, and when the time comes, we confirm Him through our words. While courage may intimidate us, we will find that unwavering faith speaks to our unbelieving friends. They see our lifestyle first, and when our words boldly support our actions, they take notice. No, they may not change immediately, but our constancy draws them. With prayer, God will bring them to realize the truth. By speaking up and living out God’s love, hearts will be changed.
“You don’t mind, do you?” they ask.
Suddenly, we’re faced with a choice: Lie and look cool, or stand up for our faith. Sadly, many times the outcome ends uncomfortably, with us trying our best not to listen to or watch what appears on the screen. I’ve been there. We tell ourselves that if we protest, we’ll ruin the night.
Everybody knows that the others do not understand our standards. Besides, they probably do not own media we approve of.
Right?
Maybe. But behind the surface of temptation lies an entire world of influence that we rarely tap into. In my freshman year of high school, I sat in a Spanish II class listening to my classmates talk about sex and relationships. Deciding to voice my opinion, I shared my heart on the issue, explaining how God’s way is always the best way when it comes to love.
Surprisingly for me, many of the kids had never heard my approach to the subject. Pretty soon, the entire class listened as I explained the benefits of physical and emotional abstinence. Every type of student filled that room. Before I knew what happened, their common desire for truth brought them together.
My teacher later told me of an encounter with the student that asked the most questions during our discussion. He told her that he really respected my views, even if he did not completely agree.
God calls us to be bold, yet gentle. We live like Jesus through our actions, and when the time comes, we confirm Him through our words. While courage may intimidate us, we will find that unwavering faith speaks to our unbelieving friends. They see our lifestyle first, and when our words boldly support our actions, they take notice. No, they may not change immediately, but our constancy draws them. With prayer, God will bring them to realize the truth. By speaking up and living out God’s love, hearts will be changed.
"It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: 'The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives'" Romans 1:16 (The Message).
