Leaving an Example

Introduction

Humans learn by example; repeat what they hear and copy what they see. That’s why it’s important for parents to set the standard for their children by being a good example so that when they copy what they see and repeat what they hear, we’ll know that we’ve done well to mold them as future adults.

However, not all parents leave a good example. They want what’s best for their children; even to give them better than what they, as children, had. Yet, they fall into a routine and not give heed to what is said and done around their own children.

Two Examples I’ve Observed

When I worked in a grocery store several years ago, I witnessed the aftermath of a child; around 8-years-old, attempt to steal a magazine. The mother was profusely apologizing to the manager that he was only 8 and didn’t know what he was doing. I was thinking, ‘Really? He wouldn’t know what stealing was unless he saw someone else do it.’ Then again, I could have been wrong. Anyways, the manager didn’t press the matter further and they resumed to their shopping. I took it upon myself to watch the couple finish their shopping.

As they were checking out, the mother commented to the cashier that they couldn’t believe that the employees were watching her son like a hawk. Again, explaining that he was only 8. I didn’t say anything; not wanting to add fuel to the fire, but I was watching the parents not the child. The child had to have learned about stealing; most likely from the parents and that’s who I was watching.

Another example I found online of a little video of a boy, about 6-years-old, seating in a car seat. He was complaining that he was sweaty and the mom, who was recording her child on her phone, asked what was sweaty. The first two words out of his mouth made me stop watching the video as I was horrified what came out of his mouth. He happened to name two body parts which he shouldn’t have been familiar with to casually talk about them out loud. Words like this are usually overheard from adults. Even if the parents are not the ones to teach him such words, it is their responsibility to correct, even punish, him for doing so. By allowing him to use those words and recording it for the internet, it tells the world that you approve of such language especially coming from an innocent child.

Leading by Example

Suppose Jesus did the very same things as listed in the examples above. What if he stole? Of course, that’s breaking the 8^th Commandment (Ex. 20:15), but Jesus could have made the exception stating that was under the Old Law (Sabbath day was done away with in NT times, why not stealing?)

Or what if he described his body parts in the vulgar manner of the other child? It would make Jesus equal to the gentiles in mannerisms and language than to have him be separate (2 Cor. 6:17).

This is not to say that Jesus is telling us that we, as Christians, are better than everyone else. We are simply told to lead a different life from the rest of the world. Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 6:17 in which Paul writes, Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” To show that we are different from everyone else, we can’t behave like everyone else. Our speech and mannerisms must be different. We have to be viewed as different; peculiar even (1 Pet. 2:9, KJV) and not be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2).

Peter’s Example in Matt. 26

Jesus’ disciples were the perfect example of how Christians should live and talk as they studied under Jesus for 3½ years. Note verses 73-74 of Matthew 26, And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Here we see that Peter’s speech betrayed him. What this is means is that he was NOT prone to use of foul language and cursing people. He was always careful with his words. Peter’s response then was to curse and swear; identifying himself as “one of the guys” and that he couldn’t possibly be connected to Jesus.

When you resort to foul language in your everyday speech, it makes you no different that the people of the world. Paul states, “be ye separate”. He went on to say in Col. 4:6, Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. What Paul is telling Christians that when you talk make each word count. Don’t talk for talking’s sake or just to hear the sound of your voice. Remember what Jesus said in Mt. 12:36, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

Conclusion

If Jesus is in our lives it will reflect in our mannerisms and speech; then that will then be copied by our children. As parents we need to set the example for our children. In 1 Peter 2:21 the apostle wrote, For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. Jesus is our example of a Godly life; may we teach that to our children while they are still young (Prov. 22:6).