What Makes You Blush?

Emotional People

Human beings are creatures of emotion. Although it may differ by individual, we all betray our feelings and thoughts in various ways. In sadness it is common to cry tears, or at the very least a fallen countenance. In happiness a smile, a grin, even a laugh. When embarrassed, it is common for a rush of blood to flood the cheeks creating a blush.

What is the Cause?

Perhaps more important than the question of why human beings blush is the question of what causes us to blush. One can learn much about a society and its culture by what is considered embarrassing or shameful. In some cultures there are strict taboos concerning custom and dress, while others are more permissive. In our modern\post-modern society, the cause of taboos and embarrassments come more from a lack of “sophistication” to important social mores and causes than from poor moral choice. Consider the following examples:

Evil practices

To suggest that certain practices such as sexual promiscuity and homosexuality are debase and sinful acts is to cause embarrassment. Such a person should undoubtedly be aware of the rubric of “tolerance” and “acceptance”, should they not? The crowds blush on our behalf.

Evil ethics

To suggest that certain moral evils such as infanticide or the willing destruction of one life (viable embryos) for the betterment of another life is immoral and beyond the scope of man’s authority is to cause embarrassment. Such a person should undoubtedly be aware of the rubric of “choice” and the “greater good” served, should they not? The crowds blush on our behalf.

Evil beliefs

To suggest that any religious belief system other than Christianity is a creation of man, flawed and evil is to cause embarrassment. Such a person should undoubtedly be aware of the rubric of “religious expression” and “ecumenicalism”, should they not? The crowds blush on our behalf.

The Telling Difference

The truth of the matter is that societal mores and norms do not dictate what should cause the embarrassment of man. What a people choose to blush about in contrast with what they do not is telling of a people’s moral standing. The nation of Israel was in a similar predicament in her days of idolatry and sin (Jer. 6:15; 8:12). Israel no longer recognized the problem of sin – she was not longer ashamed. The end result was her downfall.

It does not matter what causes society at large to blush, only what causes the people of God to blush. Unless we are willing to be upset and embarrassed by sin, we will never have the moral courage to confront sin. Unless we are willing to confront sin, the world will never blush again. What makes you blush?