How do I explain to my son that his friend is sinning?
Question:
One of my sisters in Christ is a teen girl (age 19). She is also my son’s best friend. I know her well, and I follow her on social media platforms. She recently posted a picture of herself with a friend who is a girl. Her written post attached to the picture included calling her friend “her wifey.” I attempted to explain to my son that something like this is not Christian behavior, but I’m having a difficult time getting him to understand me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Answer:
The technical definition of "wifey" is "a condescending way of referring to a person's wife." However, in today's slang "wifey" means a girlfriend who acts as a wife without being married. This becomes doubly concerning when a girl refers to her friend as a wifey because it carries the implication that they being sexual with each other. This would be similar to the sins of the Gentiles, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural" (Romans 1:26).
Even if homosexuality is not taking place, for one female to call another female a wifey is making a mockery of the institution of marriage. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). We have enough problems with worldly people attempting to change the definition of marriage without Christians confusing the issue.
However, this isn't just an issue with helping your son understand. This young woman appears to be getting off-track. As a fellow Christian, it is your duty to talk with her and help her understand that what she is writing is not proper. "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5:3-4).
Response:
Thank you for this! She and I talk often, and I’ve approached her about some things I’ve noticed since she started college. Your explanation of this topic will help greatly.