Have you heard the expression, “Life is cheap”? In today’s culture, it is very cheap in both reality and media. The state of our fallen world has a strong Biblical thread as well as in observation. I find myself more sensitive to a cheapened world today than when I was younger, but there is also significant evidence that life has gotten cheaper. Genocide events are more frequent; media for young children or adults is laced with violence more graphic than ever; and many nations have peoples in distress.
But how are you? How do we act? Are we careful with people? Are we careful in the face of increasing coarseness? It is a challenge for a believer to be careful, thoughtful, and sober.
I was reminded of this when I met with two young people. 
One we have known since she was very small. Last week she told me that she was bringing her friend to church and wanted me to meet her. After the service, her friend asked me simple but profound questions. I was careful with her, especially as I noticed that she was intent to understand what I was saying. She had met the Lord Jesus Christ only recently. The conversation was not long, but I could sense that I was to be careful, which is just what the Scripture says to do as Jesus explained in Mark 9:42.
Friends are to be careful with each other. One of my best friends is Sid. We have known each other for decades. We have canoed, worshipped, prayed, ate, and been with each other in a variety of ways for years. He has looked past my mistakes and foibles. In short, he is careful with me.
My wife is my best friend. Are we not to be careful with each other? Uh oh. Sometimes I have to repent on this one, because the one I know the most and is my closest friend is also the one I am sometimes not so careful with. So, I have to eat humble pie when I am not so careful with her. But Jesus reaches deep when He convicts, because He wants us to love each other in an increasing way. Divorce rates suggest husbands and wives are not so good at being careful with each other. Regardless, love is careful, gentle, and so on.
So these two young girls are entering a new school this coming year. That can be frightening. If they know, however, that Jesus is careful with them and they learn to be careful in their friendship and their relationships with others, they will be OK. There will be challenges. There always are. But His wonderful love and guidance is there to help.
As believers, we have reason to be careful with one another.
