Jump Start # 3438

Jeremiah 6:15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall along those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord.”

It’s Halloween time again. It seems that more and more are decorating their houses with giant spiders, tombstones and great big skeletons. More and more outlandish seems to be where people are headed. I’ve never thought too much about the Halloween season. Let the kids put on customs and go trick or treating is about as far as I go. Some love horror movies. Some love haunted houses. Not me. Don’t need to pay money to get scared, just drive on some of these highways around here or jump out of an airplane.

But I saw a decorated house that was so fitting for our times. A whole family of skeletons, mom, dad and the kids. All different sizes. There was even a dog skeleton. In the dad’s hand, was a can of beer. I looked at that and thought, that’s what drinking will do for you, turn you into a skeleton. What a statement. Some likely honked their car horns and cheered when they saw that. I shook my head. How sad. No shame. No embarrassment.

Our verse today, taken from the prophet’s sad lament of the condition of the nation, states that they did not even know how to blush. That expression is interesting. We don’t normally teach someone to blush, it just happens. The reason why it happens is because someone has a moral compass and a sense of right and wrong. We’d say that they had a conscience. But when the compass is busted and nothing is wrong and everything is right, a person no longer blushes. That’s why obscene words do not bother some. That’s why immodesty doesn’t bother some.

When a person comes to Christ, they are not only forgiven of their sins, but that moral compass gets realigned in their heart and shame, guilt and embarrassment naturally follow. Culture has moved the out of bounds line and nothing is wrong these days. Lie, cheat, steal, do what you have to for your own well being.

And, this moral compass is first set correctly in the home. It is in the home where certain words are not allowed. It is in the home that parents approve of what is being worn before the teens leave the house. It is in the home that the moral structure of what is expected and what is right and wrong is taught.

As children age, they find others who do not have much of a moral compass. Kids say things that they shouldn’t say. They do things that they shouldn’t do. As they try to influence your child, it is that moral, godly compass that will protect them and help them.

Learning to switch channels when indecent commercials come on. Learning to stop a movie because the language is out of bounds. Learning to say “no” to others is part of developing that moral compass. Shame, guilt and sorrow are emotions and feelings that many want to deny, run from and do all they can to remove them. But shame, guilt and sorrow have a place in our lives. They have a way of keeping us in bounds when we step on the line of right and wrong. Filters are necessary, not only on our furnaces, but in our hearts. Recognizing that some things are not good, decent or helpful can keep us where God wants us to be.

Here are some reminders for us:

First, telling someone it is ok when something is not ok, is simply not ok. We don’t do well when others cry. We don’t like it when others feel bad. But putting band aids on the problems will not change behavior. It is good that the prodigal felt terrible. His actions were wrong. And, those feelings led him back home. Had someone told him, “It’s ok, you’ll be fine,” he may have stayed with the pigs.

Second, some people stay in the land of shame, guilt and sorrow. These emotions, though God given, are not intended to be our story nor define our character. Peter wept bitterly after he denied Jesus. But we know Peter as that courageous preacher of Acts 2. We know him as the steadfast, unbending faith who refused to be silent when he was told not to preach Jesus. We know him as going against all his upbringing and speaking to the Gentile Cornelius. We know Peter who wrote the powerful letters near the end of our Bibles. Peter did not continue to weep all his life. Peter did not drown in his sorrow. He moved on with the Lord and he did incredible things for the Lord.

Guilt, shame and embarrassment ought to move us to better choices and better behavior. We ought to learn. We ought to do better.

Third, the more blasphemous and ungodly our culture moves to, we must make sure that we don’t follow that at a distance. The first use of the “D” word in a movie was Gone with the Wind. That was shocking. Today, there are places that use that word in advertising and on cups at fast food places. Other words, once shocking and off limits, are becoming the norm and are becoming accepted. We must make sure that we are not accepting things that years ago we wouldn’t. Society is always shifting and moving and the direction isn’t towards the cross. We must remain where we are, steadfast and unmovable. And, it’s not just a language thing. Indecency, immodesty, and accepting things we once believed were wrong, becomes a huge problem in our faith. Has God moved? Has the Bible shifted? Why have we?

Unable to blush—that’s not a compliment. A skeleton with a beer in his hands—the sad sign of our times.

Roger

Jump Start # 2650

Jeremiah 6:15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord.”

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend in our current culture. I wish it would go away, but I don’t think it will. It’s the use of obscene words. Rioters spray paint these words on the side of buildings. Politicians tweet these words. Sport and Hollywood stars drop these words in interviews. The movies are filled with these words. It’s creeping closer and closer to becoming mainstream. It won’t be much longer when the censors will give up and allow these words to be said on primetime TV.

Words do not pop out of our mouths. They are choices. We may talk so fast that we don’t realize it, but words don’t form themselves in our mouths. Our minds and hearts are what drive those words. People once tried to hide behind the excuse, “That was a slip of the tongue.” Funny, those slips were always bad words, gossip and negative. No one said a compliment and then said, “That was a slip of the tongue.”

Why are so many talking so filthy anymore? Why is it that saying these words doesn’t make them blush?

Our verse today, from the prophet Jeremiah, lists a series of wrong steps that Judah was taking. Dishonesty, greed, misinformation, indifference and arrogance led them to turning their backs on God. They walked away from a standard of right and wrong. Along the way, their conscience stopped working.

It takes a conscience to blush. A conscience that is saturated in the word of God will do a lot of blushing. Words, thoughts, attitudes and even clothing are all brought to check when a heart is set to please the Lord. But when that heart isn’t thinking about the Lord and when that heart is flying freely without any thought or concern, then words will fly, clothing will come off, attitudes will crash and no one can right the course that they are set upon.

There was a time when one in the spotlight, where in the field of sports, music, theatre, film or even politics understood that they had an influence to share with others. Their role was much larger than themselves. They especially wanted to leave a wholesome and good impression upon little ones. But those days are gone. It’s everyone for themselves now. If you don’t like what I do or say, it’s your problem, not mine. That’s the culture of today.

So, how do we get that blush radar working again?

First, we must recognize what is right and what is wrong. Because society repeats certain words over and over does not mean that they are acceptable, good and worthy of saying. Right and wrong is determined by God’s word. The more of the Bible that is in us, the more that we are bothered by wrong behavior. Our conscience must be built upon God’s word and not how things affect us.

Second, our kids hear things from others. They need to know that not everyone chooses the right actions and not everything needs to be repeated. You be the censor at home. Shows with inappropriate language and dress needs to be stopped and changed. When you hear your child saying something wrong, don’t go past Jerusalem in overreacting. Talk to him about those choice of words. Most times little ones do not even know what the words are, other than they are bad words. Anger has a lot to do with this. Teaching your child how to vent constructively and godly is important. Jesus turned over the tables in the Temple but He didn’t get into a fist fight. He didn’t cuss. He didn’t do things which caused Him to apologize later.

Third, surround yourself with those who act and talk the way that God wants them to. Find quality people to fill your life and time with. Often co-workers are like brothers and sisters, we don’t get a vote in picking who they will be. At times, they may be a blessing. But it’s the other times, when they can drag your spirit down. You don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to and you do not have to express your opinion to every thought that people share. Silence can be golden.

Fourth, don’t be ashamed to blush. Don’t apologize for being embarrassed. It’s a sign that your conscience is working. It shows that things bother you and are not right. The bigger problem is when someone is beyond blushing. It is a problem when someone can have a potty mouth and that doesn’t bother them. Or, they can chew someone out and then sleep like a baby. Heartless must be a quality that makes people unable to blush. The Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz was a galvanized strong person. He held that axe up for a long time. But what was missing was a heart. He was empty on the inside. And when a person gets that way, they are unmoved and indifferent to the suffering around them. They simply do not care. But we are different. We have a heart, a different outlook and a different One that we are following.

Learn to be sensitive. Having a godly conscience is the key. It’s ok to blush, and out society certainly gives us plenty of reasons for that.

Roger

Jump Start # 2119

Jeremiah 6:15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how t blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord.”

The nation of Judah had fallen to a low state spiritually. Prophet, priest, as well as most of the people, had abandoned the Lord and sold themselves into the selfish worship of idolatry and sin. Our verse today magnifies the depth that their empty hearts had fallen by stating they were not ashamed and they did not even know how to blush.

The blush factor is something that is learned. Little toddlers can run through the house without a stitch of clothes on or even a diaper to the laughter and the horror of parents. But that child later learns to be embarrassed. Blushing or embarrassment comes from a conscience that is sensitive and working. That, in turns comes from a sense of moral right and wrong. There are some things that a person just doesn’t do. But when the moral conscience is no longer working, then there is no shame, no blushing and no embarrassment.

Our times are there. There ought to be a lot of blushing and embarrassment, but it’s missing. Instead, there is praise, and enjoyment in the very things that offend the people of God. Let me give you three examples.

The Greeting Card Industry: I went the other day to pick up a card to encourage someone. I found a nice card with a cute flower on the front. It would be great. I opened the card up and it was rude, offensive and embarrassing to me. I looked around for others. The card racks were full of pictures of immodest women, alcohol or rude comments. It took a long time to find a decent card that was truly decent. The display of cards reminded me of late night middle school boys at a summer camp. Crude bathroom jokes that are immature and out of place. But those cards dominated the store. Why wasn’t there any decent cards? It’s what the public wants. If the crude cards weren’t selling, the industry would shift. They make what sells. It’s what people want. There is no shame and no blushing, except by me, when I pull out a card that I thought was decent, but it’s not.

Actors at award shows. It is interesting that folks who spend a lifetime pretending to be someone other than who they are, become experts in politics, economics and world policy when they are to give an acceptance speech for some award. The use of foul language is all too common. The rude things said. The offensive stabs at those who have faith. The hypocrisy of disrespecting others beliefs, while demanding respect for behavior that God calls sinful, is alarming. Another actor used primetime to curse the president. Maybe some do not like him, but no shame and no embarrassment for using bad language and then receiving not just approval but loud ovations for doing that. Encouragement rather than embarrassment. Praise rather than punishment. Approval rather than offended.

The Porn industry. Jason, our other preacher, and I did a sermon recently on Paralyzing Addictions. I grab some stats on the porn industry. The numbers are off the charts. This is a huge problem in America, our churches and in our hearts. What is sad, is so many videos are not made by sleazy porn stars, but are self made, homemade videos that are submitted and circulated by porn sites. There are more videos made by amateurs than by the porn stars. This means couples, neighbors, folks we work with, are filming themselves having sexual relations and sending them in to be viewed by the world. They do it for money. They do it for instant fame. They do it because it is exciting. They do it without any shame, embarrassment or even blushing. They do it knowing that thousands of people world wide will be watching their video. The growing number of self made videos has exploded so rapidly, that people have to be unique, unusual and different in what they are doing on the videos. And, we return to the words of our passage, is there no shame, no blushing?

The times we live in are dark morally. The conscience for many no longer works. Immodest in dress, immoral in thought and indecent in talk is what is becoming normal. It’s every where, even in greeting cards.

We must stay close to God’s word. It is easy to be pulled into this moral sewer that we live in. It’s hard to walk through mud and stay clean. It’s easy to start using words that we’d never use before. We are hearing them everywhere. It’s easy to be suggestive in talk and in dress. These are the times we live in.

To counter this, and to remain as God wants us to, we must work even harder. It may get to a point that we make our own greeting cards. It may be a time that we watch very little TV, because there are a thousand channels and nothing worth while to watch. It may be a time when we see the great value of spending more time with one another. Encourage one another. Remind one another. Put the phones down and get to know those in our fellowship.

If we find ourselves being embarrassed less and less, then possibly we need to spend more time with the Savior. Get that conscience up and working again. The more Bible that is in our hearts the more that we become sensitive to things that are wrong. The more Bible that is in our hearts the more we blush at things that are wrong. The more Bible that is in our hearts, the more that we walk closer to the Lord.

Unable to blush. Not ashamed. Let that never be said of us.

Roger

Jump Start # 146 

Jeremiah 6:15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord.”

  Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. His message was to his people. God’s patience with the nation had run out. Jeremiah tells of the coming destruction from Babylon. Judah would be in captivity for 70 long years. Only a small portion of Judah would come back to their homeland after the captivity.

  Here in the sixth chapter we find a series of spiritual problems with Judah. God is not to blame for what was coming. They brought it on themselves. We find:

• Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen (10)
• The word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they nave no delight in it (10)
• Everyone is greedy for gain (13)
• Everyone deals falsely (13)
• They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace (14)
• They say, ‘we will not walk in it (the ancient paths)’ (16)
• Listen to the sound of the trumpet, but they said, ‘we will not listen’ (17)

  Our verse for today is found right in the midst of these things. They were not ashamed of the wrong they had done and they did not even know how to blush. Blushing is a result of embarrassment. Our faces turn bright red and we feel a sense of shame on the inside. This can come about through innocent things or it can come about from wrong. But doing wrong long enough a person because accustomed and even calloused to the point that they no longer blush.

  What Jeremiah wrote is the place where American society has gotten to. Some have no shame in using the crude and offensive language that they do. Some take God’s name in vain in nearly every sentence they utter. The immodesty of our society ought to make folks run and hide in shame, but it doesn’t. It’s paraded on billboards, magazine covers and across the screen of TV sets. We can’t fix society. It’s on it’s own track, sadly away from God. What we can do is look unto our own hearts.

  Do you still have a sense of shame? Do you still blush at wrong? Don’t feel bad about that. That’s great! We need to feel offended at words, movies, and things that are wrong. When we become accustomed to wrong, it is dangerous. May we never get used to wrong. May it always seem out of place and offensive.

  When Jeremiah stated, “They did not even know how to blush?” I’ve wondered, is it possible to teach that? I think it is. When a person learns about holiness and righteousness their blush level increases. As they walk with the Lord, they become away of how broken the world is. It causes us to blush to think that at one time we were a part of all that and didn’t even recognize it. But now it’s different. Don’t try to be like the world, be like Jesus. Don’t worry if you don’t seem to fit it, you may not really want to.

Roger