The Good Old Days I Never Had

By Jane Thornton

A certain tone invades the voice and laughter of those talking about something naughty. I can hear that particular timbre from across a crowded classroom or through a closed bedroom door. Although a tone cannot be written up in a discipline referral at school, nor does it usually support punishment at home, that lower pitch sets off internal alarms which prompt closer monitoring.

Sometimes I hear this gloating pleasure in the stories of adult, Christian friends as they reminisce over earlier rebellious days—B.C. days. An elbow hits an old pal’s ribs, and chortles erupt over some drunken foolishness from high school or college days. A tagline often wraps up the story, clothing it in the acceptability of forgiveness. A wisp of yearning for that nostalgia whispers through my spirit.

My good old days were just that; in fact, I’d venture to say they could be classified as goody-goody days. Not funny, not rebellious, just plain, old, ugly self-righteousness. As I listen to ex-partiers share their memories, I keep my own mouth closed. They’d probably think, at worst, that I was obnoxious, at best, that I was staid and boring.
“[The devil] is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b (NIV)

I must recognize that streak of longing as a lie from Satan. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” I Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)  I need to see beyond the laughter to the regret my friends have suffered. Each sin, no matter the type, has its associated shame which we must fight through to embrace the grace of God. When I remember the tears inspired by my little sins (another of Satan’s lies), I thank God that I did not face the tougher battles.

Each of my friends could correct my misapprehensions, I’m sure. Struggles with sex, alcohol, drugs, and rebellion may seem to provide fodder for merry tales, but under the jocular attitudes lurks the guilt that Satan tries to use to gnaw away at our sense of forgiveness. As C.S. Lewis indicates in Screwtape Letters, Satan will use any tool—laughter, guilt, righteousness, whatever—to chip away at our relationship with Jesus.

He takes special joy in twisting the Scriptures. “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47 (NIV) Jesus’ words do not support my desire for rebellious memories. They should instead remind me that I have been forgiven much.

Paul asks and answers this question. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Romans 6:1-2a (NIV) I will rejoice that God can use all sin—interesting or not—to reveal His grace, and He can use each sinner’s victory to encourage someone still struggling, whether with the same offense or an alternate problem.

Let us rebuke Satan when he tries to lure us into twisting God’s Word, into clinging to guilt we no longer carry, or into taking our sins lightly. “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 (NIV)