why do they do that, anyway?

I remember when my parents' generation threw up their hands in confusion and concern over us. "What's this generation coming to?" They looked aghast at the level of sin we tolerated- things they had not (openly) considered or practiced. They wondered where we got it and where it would take us.

Well, we've grown up and brought up another generation. And the words that too often come to our minds, or cross our lips sound an awful lot like our fathers': "What's happening to young people these days? They tolerate so much bad stuff and do things we (openly) wouldn't have considered!"

I know as a father of three adult sons, I've voiced my concern numerous times. If you're a parent, I imagine you have as well. Let me suggest two simple reasons (among many, I suppose) why this phenomenon is so true. First, sin (and its impact) never remains static. Unless there is a conscious turn away from what is wrong, we will always slide into further complications as a result of sin. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. Sadly this is true. But as someone once wisely pointed out, the wages of sin is also more sin. So if we fail to eradicate wrong practices and attitudes in our generation, let's not be surprised to see them resurface in a greater and more destructive way in the next.

Secondly, our actions go a long way in determining the mindset of our kids. Jeremiah 17 speaks of the sin of Judah (one of the 12 tribes of Israel), saying that their sin was "engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a fine flint on the tablet of their hearts." In other words, their rebellion toward God was set deeply within their being, woven into the very fabric of their lives. It was part of them. So much so that the words following state that "even their children remember their altars and Asherah (idol) poles." The history of Judah's people was such that its impact was not lost on its children. That they remembered their parents' sin is indication that they themselves practiced what had been done previously, and probably to a greater extent (because sin is never static, remember?).

All this to say that as parents and elders in this generation, we must choose our steps carefully, because those following us will find our footsteps. If we choose to do (and be) right, there's a greater chance that our children (and their children) will do likewise. But if we tolerate and dabble in things that we know are wrong, if we excuse our wayward tendencies, if we neglect to right those practices and areas we know fall short, there's great likelihood that the next generation will remember our idols, remember our sin, remember our wrong paths. And they may very well travel down them...and find others as well.

Walk well, parents and elders- those coming behind need a clear path and a right way, and it's our job to provide it.