Question:  Our teenager refuses to report that she saw two of her good Christian friends cheating on a class test.  How do we explain to her that she should report them even if she risks losing them as friends?

Answer:  It can be hard for parents to admit to their children that some of those nice, church-going people aren’t always living like an example of Christ to the world.  As parents we can find it easier to present people as simply the “good guys” and the “bad guys.”  It’s very disappointing to realize that some of the “good guys” are participating in some really bad things when they think no one is watching.  This can be adult Christians who still think it’s alright to cheat on their income taxes or that it is no big deal if they sneak a few grapes to eat at the grocery store without buying the bunch.

It’s certainly true when we see church leadership caught up in inappropriate sexual behavior and refusing to step down from their positions.  Many times, their members  still support them staying in those leadership positions when they know these leaders should be removed.  All the while, we will see all these adult Christians in church the next Sunday, enthusiastically praising the Lord and claiming to love Jesus like nothing was wrong.  We can even find these same people looking down their noses at the drunks, drug dealers, and prostitutes on the street corner.  At least these people on the corner aren’t claiming to be Christians.  At least, the people on the corner aren’t holy hypocrites!

Therefore, explain to your teen that Christians are to be “salt and light” for our Lord.  Refer to Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth…” and Matthew 5:16, ” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (NKJV).  Let your teen know that it is more important to please God by doing the right thing than to please these friends.  Real Christian friends will stay friends.  So, tell your teen to go to these friends and encourage them to turn themselves in.  But, if they don’t, report them, and also, pray for them to repent.  This may be hard to do, but no one said that being a Christian would be easy.

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family          www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network    www.cbn.com

World Magazine            www.worldmag.com