Enough Is Enough

 “With the same tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

James 3:9-10 (NIV)

    It was not until the third time in two weeks after seeing the advertisements that I decided to speak out. It should have taken me two seconds. At first, I thought, “That is in bad taste.” But the longer I looked at it, the more convicted I became that I needed to address what I had seen.

   The first advertisement jumped out at me as I was scrolling through Facebook. It was encouraging people to try the collagen that I have used for years and love. But the ad said this: “F*ck serums; use collagen.” 

    For just a second I adjusted my glasses. I kept thinking I hadn’t seen the ad correctly - but I had. I went to the website for the product but could not find a way to contact them so I felt that I needed to comment on their ad and I posted this: “I love this collagen and have bought it for years. However, if you continue putting profanity on your ads, not only will I quit buying from you, but I will encourage others to stop and purchase theirs elsewhere. Putting “F*ck serums” on your ad offends me. I don’t need profanity to buy your product; how insulting. Please do better.”

   The second advertisement was for a cream for neuropathy pain. It was just five words: “No sh*t - just neuropathy relief.” Comments on this product were very positive as to how well it works and that one jar will help in an amazing way. It’s not a product that I have needed but I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else found the ad offensive.

    The third example was what finally made me say “Enough!!” I was looking through makeup at a local store and came across a bronzer called “Mother Fluffer” on the package. Makeup that many young teens use as well as adults. Our kids. Our grandkids. Seeing that as normal. 

    Understand that I was not looking everywhere I went to purposely try to find what I consider inappropriate language.  I also know that companies are competing to make a profit and the best way to do that is to get the attention of the customer, hence the shock value of their ads. And, sadly, I realized that while the use of that language is disrespectful to me, many people, including Christians, do not think a thing about it.

   It was a relief to see that, after I posted my comment on the collagen timeline, comments quickly agreed with what I said. Several replied that they had also seen the advertisement and were no longer going to buy that particular collagen product. However, one woman posted about “women clutching their pearls” and included something about religion, even though I had not mentioned anything like that. Also, I did not get a response from the company.

   Before I get the usual comments - everyone says it, times have changed so you need to change with the times, and you need to lighten up - let me share that I realize the world has changed and not in a positive way. But as Christians, we have a responsibility - a command - NOT to be like the world. And that includes using language that is inappropriate. 

   God’s Word has not changed and will not change to conform to the world - no matter how the world changes. Our walk with the Lord is not based on what the world says but what He says.There are so many examples from the Word. I listed just three in Power at the end of this devotion.  I encourage you to be willing to say “absolutely not” when you are met with things that do not build up but rather break down. Do not be afraid to say Enough Is Enough!

    Father, forgive me for those times that I have shrugged when I should have stood up for what is right. Help me to be strong with boldness and love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. 

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever noticed a product you were going to purchase that had an inappropriate ad that goes against how the Lord wants us to live?

• Did you go ahead and purchase it or look for a similar product minus the language?

Apply

• If you find that a product you use frequently has decided to use inappropriate ads, decide if you can find a similar product, if you will contact the company or continue to use it.

• Always be respectful when contacting a company with your concerns. 

Power

• Colossians 3:8 (NIV) “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.”

• Matthew 12:36 (NIV) “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

• Matthew 15:11 (NIV) “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean,but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.”