"What We Allow, We Encourage"

Bulletin Article For 9/9/07
Always on the lookout for short messages that make a point to put on the church sign, I was glad to come across this one, “What we allow, we encourage.” Wow, that deserves our consideration. At the outset, we should note that we do not have control over many things. For example, I cannot control what my neighbors do. But on the other hand, if they are doing something illegal, such as running a meth lab in their house, I am bound to report that as a good citizen. Many neighborhoods could do something about their decline if decent citizens would not sit idly by and “encourage” illegal activity by their silence. I may control more things than I think. In fact, there are many things that I do control.
First is my behavior. When Jesus spoke to those who unfairly judge others, he said in Matthew 7:5, “… First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” What do I allow myself to dol? Paul said in Romans 14:22(KJV), “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth” Where the KJV uses the word “alloweth”, the NKJV says “approve” We must not condemn ourselves by what we approve of. Each one of us has to decide what we will allow in our own life. There are God-given laws to follow, but many are written in principles that must be applied to our daily life. One might allow himself to frequent places that have many sinful activities going on, arguing, “Well, I am not participating in them.” But how many times are men drawn into sin by their circumstances. We need to be careful what we allow, because it might take root in our own life and grow far beyond our intentions.
Also, we do control what goes on in the church as far as men’s behavior is concerned. Yes, all sin, but repentance and confession is required for forgiveness. Some continue in public sin with the church being silent. Paul asked the church at Corinth a question that we need to ponder, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”(1 Cor. 5:6). They may not have realized it, but their silence was encouraging the sinful behavior to continue. Some things should not be allowed in the church.
But the first thing that I thought of when reading this phrase was parenting. Many parents are not willing to accept responsibility for their children’s actions, saying, “I can’t control what they do.” Of course when children are grown and away from home this is true. But while children are minors and living at home, we are not only morally but legally responsible for what they do. And make no mistake, “What we allow, we encourage.” That is why it is such a mistake for fearful parents to provide birth control to children who have sex out of wedlock. If “Mom’s ok with it,” then it will surely happen. The same is true with other sinful behavior. Instead of talking with our children, teaching them, disciplining them as needed, many parents have “allowed” and encouraged their children to get into trouble by their lack of action.
Consider some similar phrases:
“What we praise, we encourage”- This can be used in both a good and a bad way. We should always praise the good and rebuke the bad. Sometimes it is the other way around.
“What we laugh at, we encourage”- This is especially important in little children. Yes, they are cute, but our laughter can encourage unacceptable behavior. Adults respond to this as well. Heard any dirty jokes lately? Careful what you laugh at.
“What we reward, we encourage”- Have you seen a child pitching a fit and any adult give them a toy to try to get him to stop. Rewarding bad behavior encourages it. Let’s be careful what we encourage. David Courington