There’s a scene in A Christmas Story that makes a great illustration. But it’s not about Christmas. It’s about parenting and influence.`
In the movie, young Ralphie blurts out a bad word. His parents are shocked and outraged. His mother demands to know where he learned such language.
Ralphie doesn’t dare give the obvious answer — that he’s heard his father use this word for years. So he blames a classmate, who promptly gets into trouble.
Meanwhile, Ralphie gets his mouth washed out with soap.
The irony of all this is lost on the parents. They remain oblivious to their own influence.
Before we ask where our children learned their bad behavior, or where employees found their work ethic, or how church members develop their priorities, we might consider the question:
What have they learned from me?
Influence doesn’t come and go. Whether we intend to or not, we’re always teaching.
You then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? (Romans 2:21)
© 2026. Today’s post is taken from Preaching Library.
