What an iconic television show, and the episodes of Lucy's pregnancy were and are funny and very well done. One of the reasons I enjoy movies from the 30s, 40s and 50s is that I don't have to be concerned about overt sex, or 50 uses of the "f" word or other expletives. We are certainly in a post-Christian age in 2025, and we can see just how well that's working. The church must never water down the truth. "For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth." 2 Corinthians 13:8.
Another word that comes to mind for being silent when others sin in front of us is "tolerance." And that seems to be the big word others are using against us. Bad behavior should not be tolerated; it should be questioned and called out, even if it creates dome discomfort.
I have issues with “tolerance”. Two very close relatives whom I love dearly are involved in same sex relationships. One married their partner. I went to the wedding and celebrated with them. They are my family and I love them. Had I not gone we would not speak. How are we supposed to deal with this.
Ann, thank you for sharing your heart. I can see that you truly love your family, and your desire to maintain that relationship is admirable. These are not easy questions, and there’s no denying the difficulty of navigating situations where faith and relationships seem to be at odds.
However, it’s worth considering what our actions communicate, even unintentionally. By participating in events that celebrate something God’s Word defines as contrary to His design, we may send the message that we affirm what God calls sin. This can blur the line between loving people and compromising on God’s truth. Love does not mean celebrating what is contrary to God’s will. It means pointing people to Him, even when it’s difficult.
When we face choices like this, it’s important to prayerfully reflect on a few key questions. Sometimes, the hardest questions are the ones we need to ask ourselves:
- Do you believe that God is asking you to prioritize your love for Him above all else, even above your love for family? Jesus said in Matthew 10:37, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." How does this apply to your situation?
- Do you trust that God is capable of reaching your loved ones, even if your relationship is strained because of your faithfulness to Him?
- Are you more afraid of temporary silence or estrangement from your loved ones than of the eternal consequences they might face without knowing God?
These are weighty questions, and only you can answer them before God. At the same time, relationships are a two-way street. If your family loves you as much as you love them, would they respect and support you for expressing your convictions honestly? If they wouldn’t, it’s worth considering why the burden of compromise seems to rest solely on you. Why is it your love that must bend for the sake of the relationship?
Ultimately, you have the right, and the responsibility, to live according to your God-given conscience. Romans 14:22-23 reminds us that whatever we do, we must do it in faith and not go against our convictions. If your actions are not rooted in faith, they will trouble your spirit.
I encourage you to seek God in prayer over this and trust Him to guide your steps. He knows the depth of your love for your family and your desire to honor Him. Lean on His wisdom, knowing that His love for your loved ones is even greater than your own. Sometimes, it’s through our obedience that others are drawn closer to Him.
Thank you Jason for a wonderfully detailed response which does give me much to reflect upon. It is a very difficult situation, of course I will continue to love and pray for all of my family and I will pray for God’s guidance.
What a clear, gracious, dignified response! I marvel at your heart of pastoral car in the midst of conflicting moral and familial passions. Thank you for this answer.
pffft... my grandmother gave birth to her youngest child at age 43. Speaks more of the nutritional quality of our mass-produced food in the last 5-6 decades and Med system convincing us that nothing can be done without them (like birth or feeding a baby). Grateful for when Med system steps in to help when something goes wrong. Of course with God's unlimited power, even elderly women gave birth as we know from the Bible (Sarah and Elizabeth).
Especially during the 60s when "free love" was extolled (without addressing real world consequences mostly to women), we saw the degrading of values - it was very overt in movies by mid 60s-early 70s - and it became mainstream. Not as much on TV until "cable" subscription HBO came along in 80s and willfully ditched network censorship to attract viewers. It worked! Then public networks followed suit, chasing the $. Been in a freefall with "no" limits since then. No more "mature audience" hours after 9pm on TV. 😆 No more bedtime for kiddies at 8pm. The parents of the 50s-70s didn't have to watch over the kids 24/7. Censors helped. Not so sure we've fared well, left to our own limitless discretion. The Media have not been our allies.
What an iconic television show, and the episodes of Lucy's pregnancy were and are funny and very well done. One of the reasons I enjoy movies from the 30s, 40s and 50s is that I don't have to be concerned about overt sex, or 50 uses of the "f" word or other expletives. We are certainly in a post-Christian age in 2025, and we can see just how well that's working. The church must never water down the truth. "For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth." 2 Corinthians 13:8.
Another word that comes to mind for being silent when others sin in front of us is "tolerance." And that seems to be the big word others are using against us. Bad behavior should not be tolerated; it should be questioned and called out, even if it creates dome discomfort.
I have issues with “tolerance”. Two very close relatives whom I love dearly are involved in same sex relationships. One married their partner. I went to the wedding and celebrated with them. They are my family and I love them. Had I not gone we would not speak. How are we supposed to deal with this.
Ann, thank you for sharing your heart. I can see that you truly love your family, and your desire to maintain that relationship is admirable. These are not easy questions, and there’s no denying the difficulty of navigating situations where faith and relationships seem to be at odds.
However, it’s worth considering what our actions communicate, even unintentionally. By participating in events that celebrate something God’s Word defines as contrary to His design, we may send the message that we affirm what God calls sin. This can blur the line between loving people and compromising on God’s truth. Love does not mean celebrating what is contrary to God’s will. It means pointing people to Him, even when it’s difficult.
When we face choices like this, it’s important to prayerfully reflect on a few key questions. Sometimes, the hardest questions are the ones we need to ask ourselves:
- Do you believe that God is asking you to prioritize your love for Him above all else, even above your love for family? Jesus said in Matthew 10:37, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." How does this apply to your situation?
- Do you trust that God is capable of reaching your loved ones, even if your relationship is strained because of your faithfulness to Him?
- Are you more afraid of temporary silence or estrangement from your loved ones than of the eternal consequences they might face without knowing God?
These are weighty questions, and only you can answer them before God. At the same time, relationships are a two-way street. If your family loves you as much as you love them, would they respect and support you for expressing your convictions honestly? If they wouldn’t, it’s worth considering why the burden of compromise seems to rest solely on you. Why is it your love that must bend for the sake of the relationship?
Ultimately, you have the right, and the responsibility, to live according to your God-given conscience. Romans 14:22-23 reminds us that whatever we do, we must do it in faith and not go against our convictions. If your actions are not rooted in faith, they will trouble your spirit.
I encourage you to seek God in prayer over this and trust Him to guide your steps. He knows the depth of your love for your family and your desire to honor Him. Lean on His wisdom, knowing that His love for your loved ones is even greater than your own. Sometimes, it’s through our obedience that others are drawn closer to Him.
Thank you Jason for a wonderfully detailed response which does give me much to reflect upon. It is a very difficult situation, of course I will continue to love and pray for all of my family and I will pray for God’s guidance.
What a clear, gracious, dignified response! I marvel at your heart of pastoral car in the midst of conflicting moral and familial passions. Thank you for this answer.
pffft... my grandmother gave birth to her youngest child at age 43. Speaks more of the nutritional quality of our mass-produced food in the last 5-6 decades and Med system convincing us that nothing can be done without them (like birth or feeding a baby). Grateful for when Med system steps in to help when something goes wrong. Of course with God's unlimited power, even elderly women gave birth as we know from the Bible (Sarah and Elizabeth).
Especially during the 60s when "free love" was extolled (without addressing real world consequences mostly to women), we saw the degrading of values - it was very overt in movies by mid 60s-early 70s - and it became mainstream. Not as much on TV until "cable" subscription HBO came along in 80s and willfully ditched network censorship to attract viewers. It worked! Then public networks followed suit, chasing the $. Been in a freefall with "no" limits since then. No more "mature audience" hours after 9pm on TV. 😆 No more bedtime for kiddies at 8pm. The parents of the 50s-70s didn't have to watch over the kids 24/7. Censors helped. Not so sure we've fared well, left to our own limitless discretion. The Media have not been our allies.
I can't disagree.
This entire column was excellent, Jason! Let us be people who persevere and do the will of God, as it says in Hebrews 10:36. Amen and amen!