Caution Is Not Accusation

Written by Douglas Wilson

Thursday, 17 January 2013 10:53

"You can lock your doors at night without accusing every person who walks by of attempted thievery, and you can pull back when someone crosses your 'friendly line' without accusing them of 'attempted adultery.' Godly jealousy sets particular standards -- for friendships, for get-togethers, for business lunches, for entertainment standards, for dress, and so on" (For a Glory and a Covering, p. 18).

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Jane Dunsworth

Friday, January 18, 2013 7:46 am

I agree with this BUT it is easy for a kind of sensible caution to warp into a fearful, suspicious attitude toward the other sex. While this is an abuse (probably rooted in legalism) that does not negate the proper use, it is something that should not be dismissed as something that could arise.

For example, I was once told by a gentleman of the situation in his own church, where men did not speak to women directly who were not their wives -- if something needed to be said, they would ask their wives to say it. This wasn't just reserved for sensitive matters, but for all communication.

It doesn't take a lot of imagination to consider what the effect of this could be on the second generation -- the inference that the other sex is, if not vicious, at least dangerous and to be feared. Not that it is a common situation, but in our pendulum prone world, not one that we can assume will never be encountered.

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