I wonder which is worse
Leaving a situation that is offensive to us and goes against our standards, ESPECIALLY if our children are present
OR
Staying in the situation so as to show love and not cause offense to the unbelievers who are participating in something that we do not agree with
I know which one I personally think is worse.... 
Amy R wrote,
Keer,
When I was a child, my parents left in the middle of a VERY public event with my sister and I in tow. Dad was threatened to be fired if he did it again. He told the pastor he was working for, “No need. If it happens again, I quit.”
I have the utmost respect for my parents and their willingness to stand up for what was right…no matter what other people thought!
THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH STANDING FOR RIGHT!
Link | December 8th, 2006 at 5:13 am
I agree with Amy! Stick to your standards! God put them in your heart for a reason. He wants us to listen and obey, no matter the opposition. Try not to bite that tongue too hard, you might bite it off…LOL
Link | December 8th, 2006 at 6:28 am
Huge difference between the situation you mentioned, Amy, and the ones in which I’m referring to. The situations I’m referring to are ones in which the non-believers are not behaving “good enough” for believers, and therefore the believers feel the need to completely shun them in the name of “standards.” NOT ones in which the believers will be persecuted in some manner for standing up for what is right.
Link | December 8th, 2006 at 9:15 am
Kimberly wrote,
This is a tough situation especially if the children are young. On one hand, I don’t expect non-believers to act like Christians. I certainly wouldn’t participate in any anti-believer activities. But I DO believe that when we are kind to unbelievers, then we are being witnesses just by living our lives. The message of “you’re not good enough for us” is an excuse that many non-believers use to turn their backs on Christ. I would make sure my children understand that I don’t condone the non-christian activities, and base the exposure to these people on the maturity of the children. Then every situation is different, so you may have to make quick decisions.
Link | December 8th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Corrie wrote,
Hi Keer,
Great question. One that I have been asking myself.
In the case of unbelievers, our family is often in that situation and we don’t feel compelled to leave. I mean, it is not like we go to a bar with our children but at family gatherings, there are people who use “colorful” language and who drink too much and act “goofy” and sometimes they say things a little “crude” and my children have learned not to judge and what the true intent of the Gospel really is. How can we be salt and light when anytime there is any sort of “heat” we shrink back?
Then there is other situations where one can find themselves in with other believers and the healthiest and best thing they can do is leave since the atmosphere is so unhealthy and toxic to be involved with.
It is a decision to be made with much prayer and making sure our decisions line up with the word of God. I heard the gospel from my 4 year old son. My mother heard the gospel from me. My father heard the gospel from my little children. At the time us adults heard the gospel, we were not exactly the best examples. My children will not be uncomfortable to be around the “unsavory” people and show Christ’s light. I am very glad that they will be the blessed feet to those who really need to hear the good news.
Link | December 9th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Corrie, that is EXACTLY what I’m talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Link | December 9th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Jenn wrote,
Keer, you know I LOVE this! And you know I agree with you.
Good reminder.
Link | December 12th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
Dawn C wrote,
I agree! Our family gatherings are ALWAYS a test of this. We have racial slurs, drunkeness and obscenities at nigh on every one. (It’s my husband’s family OF COURSE)
There has only been 2 times that we have felt the Lord asking us to leave. Both times the situation ended up escalating into a family fight - so did were we leaving under the unction of the Holy Spirit to avoid the fight or because of the content? I don’t know.
We recently saw some of the fruit of this magnified in our children - they were ministering to a neighbor man and he was using some strong language. They continued to serve him. Then he said something to the effect that God was useless. My daughter respectfully and lovingly responded with a disagreement. She didn’t stomp off offended, she didn’t respond in a nasty way - she simply disagreed. However, she also saw that for what it was - a call to prayer!
That is maturity that I am CERTAIN comes from Father - NOT ME!! (Sadly)
Link | December 13th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Succintly, Keer, I find it worse to stay in a situation that goes against your convictions (trying to remember your phraseology) with your children present. It is always easier to minister to one when you are not actively taking part of their “sin”. It is also easier for your children if they know you stand by your convictions regardless.
Link | December 18th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
But that’s just it. I’m not advocating “partaking in sin.” (That would be wrong regardless of the presence of children.)
Link | December 18th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Molly wrote,
If hanging out with sinners is equal to partaking in their sin, then Jesus was a sinner.
Nuff said.
Link | December 18th, 2006 at 11:19 pm