Bread Crumbs – Devotions for Life

The Lord declares: ‘Those who honor me I will honor, 

and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (1)

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I have a friend who tells me he is a Christian.  He worships regularly and serves in the church. Yet, he routinely speaks flippantly about God and His ways.

I like this individual, but his careless dishonoring of God in the name of humor bothers me.

Perhaps I am too sensitive, on the defensive for God because Christians are under constant attack in our culture.

Should I bear his humor quietly, letting my silence and refusal to respond sink in and make a clear statement, or should I tell him that his words offend me?

I doubt this friend sees his speech as being dishonorable to God.

Common counsel is to never question another’s intentions.  I do not believe my friend wants to dishonor God, but he is.  I fear his goal is either to impress others or to stir up a fight at which he will take offense at my sensitivity for God.

While I am uncomfortable with my decision, I have chosen silence because I do not wish to create a stir.

I’d like to say that my silence is a deliberate attempt to be faithful to scripture.

He was oppressed, and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. (2)

Blessed are the meek. (3)

Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake. (4)

If my friend’s words were not dishonoring my Lord, my silence would feel golden.

Lord, what do you want me to do?

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1. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Samuel 2:30.

2. Isaiah 53:7.

3. Matthew 5:5.

4. Matthew 5:10.

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