Jeremiah, the weeping prophet of old, saw a calloused, hard-hearted people. They had become so calloused that they no longer saw sin for what it really was. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush…” (Jeremiah 6:15a). Blushing is good! It shows that our consciences have not been “seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). The danger of becoming calloused and hardened to sin is ever present (Hebrews 3:13). In a world where sin is rampant, we must diligently guard against losing our ability to blush. What can we do in the midst of sin to guard against the sin of not blushing?
Firstly, we must respect the standard. If man becomes his own standard, then complete mayhem will be the result (cf. Judges 17:6; 21:25). “…it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23b). The standard of God’s Word is what determines what sin is (1 John 3:4; 5:17). When the standard is disdained and ignored, like is seemingly being done in the world today, then there is no sense of right or wrong. Morality is being determined by each individual. Blushing is almost unseen in society today because the standard is disrespected!
Secondly, we must take a stand. Sadly, sin’s presence often erodes our moral fortitude and courageous defense. Alexander Pope said it truthfully, “Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, as, to be hated, needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.” Consider America today; due to the terrible ruling of Roe vs. Wade, there is an unborn child murdered every 20 seconds! Sadly, some Christians have stopped signing petitions, speaking out, writing letters and sending tear-filled prayers. In many cases, we have all but accepted this sinful atrocity. Many schools are now being flooded with condoms, “safe sex” education, evolution and ungodliness of every form, and many simply throw their defeated hands into the air and say, “What can we do?” Far too many congregations are becoming tolerant of the sin-filled lives of her members. We are never to conform (Romans 12:1-2); Christians are commissioned to reprove the darkness around them (Ephesians 5:11). We must take a stand today!
Thirdly, we must be willing to suffer. It takes little effort to drift downstream; however, it is when we swim against the current that troubles come. Some fail to blush because of the “persecution” that may come to them. Paul, a man fully aware of what persecution was like, affirmed, “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12; cf. Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:3). Are we really willing to suffer for our Lord’s sake (Matthew 5:10-12)?
Sadly, this author believes that the lack of blushing in Jeremiah’s day is being seen in the world today as well. Sin that is unchecked will grow and flourish, and it will fill up society. It is time for those who hate sin to respect the standard, take a stand no matter what suffering it brings. Have our consciences been seared? Can we still blush?
