TheGospelMessageToday

From time to time, we hear an interesting story that is told so that we may learn something more. Do you remember the fable about the boy who cried wolf? Perhaps it is more than a simple story about the harm in speaking lies.

Some time ago, a young shepherd just into his teens was given the care of a small flock by his father, so that he may learn the responsibility that comes with becoming a man. Along with Rusty, the best sheep dog and friend ever born, he felt prepared for anything the farm could throw at them. Except maybe for the endless bleating of sheep and the boredom that comes with them. Boredom often gives birth to trickery and pranks.

“Wolf, there is a wolf in the paddock!”, the young man cries as he hides behind a particularly lazy and fat ewe, snickering. Seconds later his father and older brothers sprint into the field breathing hard, bows at the ready. Caught up in the excitement, Rusty runs around them playing and barking at their antics. Needless to say, the conversation at the supper table that night was one for the record books. This only calmed things down for a short while however, until boredom set in again a few days later.

“I have got to think of something better,” he murmured to himself one hot afternoon, “they won’t fall for it a third time.” Rusty’s ears suddenly shot forward as a growl was ripped from his throat. Streaking off like a shot, he angled toward the woods and the large grey wolf standing at the forest edge. Terrified, panicking, the young man screamed and ran for his father. With Rusty barking in the background, his brothers shake their heads and refuse to be fooled yet again. This time however, the young mans cries for help are punctuated by a fierce growl and horrific yelp. “Rusty!”, the boy screams and runs back toward the terrified sheep.

Suddenly realizing that this is not just another prank, the older men grab their bows at a sprint toward the sounds of fighting. They arrive just in time to witness a young lamb being drug into the forest by a hulking grey form. Eyes turning to their brother, they see him in the middle of the field on his knees, holding a whimpering mass of fur and loyalty. Tears flowed as Rusty drew in a last breath. With horror overwhelming him, the young shepherd looked to his father  and sobbed…”I was too late to save him.”

 Most people will tell you that this is a tragic lesson about the harm that lies can cause. You know what? They are right, but there is more as well. You see, to the Children of God, this old story is not only about lying and integrity; it is also about the need for repentance!  How would this story have changed if this young man had changed his mind and actions because he felt true sorrow the first time he lied? How would our lives be different if we learned the same lesson? Think about it.

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13.3)

Summer is here, and you know what that means…it’s going to be HOT! But if you listen to the radio, the temperature is not the only thing that is hot. There are hot deals on cars, on vacations, and a great summer sale on cell phones, but to be honest these are not the hot items I am thinking about today.

                You see, just the other day I heard a young Christian lady say…”I know, Isn’t he sooooo HOT”. Needless to say, this grabbed my attention. Turning around, I saw this young person standing with her friends looking at what I think was a picture of some popular teen celebrity on her cell phone. Yes, I know what you may be thinking. What is the big deal, they are just kids goofing off, and they don’t talk the way we used to. Perhaps, but what really disappointed me is when I saw one of the girl’s moms look at the phone, snicker, and say “Yeah, he’s pretty hot.”

                OK, to be fair, maybe I did not understand what being hot really means. So I asked. What was the answer? Being hot is good looking, cute, a babe. Years past the phrase may have been a ‘teen heartthrob’. One young lady said, “it doesn’t mean anything, it’s innocent.”

                To be honest, I was not totally convinced. The phrase “he’s hot or she’s hot” just seems more sexual than that. So I asked our good friend Google to see what other teenagers had to say. Here are some of the more prevalent answers.

• Yup, hot to me is based on pure looks.
• A guy that makes you want to drool when his shirt is off.
• Curves, curves, curves.
• One young man said, “it is a girl you would have sex with, but would not want to date.” (By the way, this comment had 341 likes, 3 dislikes).
• One young lady said, “a hot guy is one you just have to get (into his pants) with. (She had many other girls liking her comment).

                So what does it mean? Is it simply a cute guy/girl, or is it a potential frivolous sex partner? If you search for “hot” on Google images (I do not suggest doing this without your ‘mature content’ filters set), the first several pages are pictures of people (mostly women) wearing little or no clothing.

                Young people, does it truly matter how you personally are using the word when so many others that hear it think immoral thoughts when it is said? You may use it in an innocent way, but when others hear you say ‘he is sooo hot’, do they think the same thing? Parents, if you heard a young person call your daughter or son hot, would that make you feel uncomfortable, or would it be OK if they were looked at as a sex object by others?

                I know that was a blunt question, but now is not the time to be quiet and make excuses for the words we use. No matter what your age, if you are a Christian, you represent Christ! I can’t imagine that He would have seen and young lady and said, “Whoooo man, she is sooo HOT!”  Do you?

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. –Col 4.6