Page 2 of 5

Opening Statement :
We clown white folks for ignorance, but let’s be real — too many of our own children can’t even read past the 4th-grade level. And we act like that’s normal. If we don’t face this, we’ll stay stuck where we are.

Exhibit A: The Evidence

• Nationwide, reading and math scores for Black students are some of the lowest in America.
• Functional illiteracy is common among Black youth, which means they’ll struggle their entire lives to get jobs, manage money, or even understand contracts.
• You can’t build wealth or leadership on a foundation of ignorance.

Exhibit B: The Hypocrisy

• We mock white ignorance, but ignore our own.
• If someone says the truth about our schools, we scream “racism” instead of rolling up our sleeves to fix it.
• Even in the church, we bury our heads. We’ll shout about “the system” but won’t mentor, tutor, or step in to make a difference.

The Law
Proverbs 4:7 — “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”
God commands us to pursue wisdom, not excuses. Illiteracy is not just a social issue — it’s disobedience when we let our children grow up without knowledge.

Exhibit C: The Way Forward

• Parents: Make reading a daily habit in your home. Even 20 minutes a night changes a child’s trajectory.
• Churches: Stop only shouting sermons. Start literacy programs, tutoring nights, and book drives.
• Adults: If you can read, teach. Volunteer at schools, mentor one child, or help a neighbor’s kid with homework.
• Community: Value books more than Jordans. Knowledge outlasts sneakers.

Closing Argument
We can’t keep pointing at racism while our kids fall further behind. Excuses won’t teach them to read. The devil loves an ignorant people, because ignorance keeps us bound. If we want our communities to rise, we have to value wisdom the way God values it.

Verdict
Lord, wake us up. Break the cycle of ignorance in our homes and schools. Give us a hunger for wisdom and the courage to pass it on.

One of the biggest problems I see in both the Black church and the wider Black community is our habit of dismissing uncomfortable truth by focusing on how it was delivered. We call it “harsh,” “too direct,” or “not loving enough.” But let’s be honest: most of the time, that’s just tone policing.

Tone policing is when we ignore the content of a message because the tone makes us uncomfortable. It’s easier to pick apart the delivery than to face the conviction.

But here’s the reality:

• The prophets didn’t sugarcoat (Jeremiah 6:14, Isaiah 58:1).
• Jesus Himself often spoke in ways that offended (Matthew 15:12).
• Paul asked, “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

God never required His messengers to soften sin until it feels safe. He requires truth spoken plainly so that hearts can be cut to repentance.

And this isn’t just a church problem. In our community at large, we see the same pattern:

• When someone calls out the destruction caused by abortion, fatherlessness, or sexual immorality, we shut down the conversation by saying, “They could have said it nicer.”
• When a pastor preaches against sin, people accuse him of being judgmental instead of examining their own hearts.
• When truth comes from outside voices, we dismiss it as “tone-deaf” or “anti-Black,” instead of asking whether the criticism actually lines up with reality.

But when we focus on tone over truth, three things happen:

1. Sin stays hidden. Our people keep hurting because we refuse correction.
2. The messenger is attacked. Instead of repenting, we cancel the one who dared to speak.
3. Repentance is delayed. Conviction is uncomfortable, but without it, there’s no turning back to God.

The Bible warns us: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:3).

Family, we’ve got to stop demanding that truth come wrapped in sugar. Real love doesn’t coddle sin. Real love tells the truth—even if it cuts. And real repentance will never happen as long as we hide behind “tone” as an excuse.

Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Sometimes the wound is exactly what saves your life.

So whether in the pews or in the streets, let’s stop tone policing and start asking: What is God calling me to repent of right now?

Let’s talk straight — because eternity ain’t something to play with.

We live in a world that’s real good at talking about sin like it’s just bad habits or personal preferences that some cosmic deity might or might not care about. And honestly, even in church circles, we’ve got this half-truth floating around like it’s gospel: “No one sin sends you to hell — it’s rejecting Jesus that does.”

Now, on the surface, that might sound comforting. But let’s dig beneath it, because I don’t want us out here building theology on vibes and catchphrases. I want us built on the Word.

---

The Truth About Sin: It Ain’t Light

First of all, sin ain’t cute. It ain’t small. And it sure ain’t harmless.

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23, ESV)

Not the wages of murder only. Not the wages of racism, adultery, or stealing big stuff. Just — sin. Period.

Sin is cosmic treason. It’s a declaration that we’d rather rule ourselves than surrender to the One who made us. And guess what? You don’t need to sin a lot to be guilty. Just one is enough.

“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10, ESV)

You ever cracked one link in a chain and watched the whole thing fall? That’s what sin does to our righteousness — it exposes how much we need rescue.

---

But the Deeper Issue? Unbelief.

Here’s where it gets deeper.

It’s not just that sin leads to hell — it’s that sin reveals a heart that doesn’t believe. The rejection of Jesus ain’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, passive, disguised in self-sufficiency. But it’s still rejection.

“Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18, ESV)

That’s not just about atheists. That’s for every person who hears about Jesus and shrugs. Or hears the gospel and clings to their pride instead of the cross. The sin flows from the root. And the root? It’s unbelief.

We don’t go to hell only because of what we do — we go because we refused to believe in the only One who could save us from what we do.

---

But Here Comes Grace.

This is why the gospel is so beautiful it’ll make you weep if you let it hit.

Jesus didn’t wait for us to sin less. He came while we were still in it.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV)

He didn’t die for the version of you that finally got it together. He died for the version that was a mess, believed lies, ran from truth — and then He called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).

So no — it’s not just sin that sends people to hell.
But if someone keeps sinning, with no repentance, no grief, no transformation — that ain’t just a bad habit. That’s a flashing sign that maybe, just maybe, they’ve never truly believed.

---

Let Me Be Plain:

Salvation is by grace alone. Through faith alone. In Christ alone.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)

But that kind of grace doesn’t leave you the same. It won’t let you be comfortable in rebellion. It pulls you toward holiness like a magnet — even when it’s hard.

If you really believe, your life will bear witness — not perfection, but fruit. If you don’t? The fruit will show that, too.

---

So What Now?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’ve sinned too much,” — you haven’t.
If you’re thinking, “How do I know if I really believe?” — talk to Jesus. Repent. Trust Him again. Ask the Spirit to confirm your adoption.
If you’re thinking, “I know folks who are walking in sin and think it’s no big deal,” — speak the truth in love. Not from a seat of judgment, but with a heart that knows what grace can do.

We don’t preach hell to scare people.
We preach truth to save them.

And the truth is this: Sin is serious. Unbelief is deadly.
But Jesus? He’s mighty to save.

---

Stay grounded. Stay bold. Stay surrendered.
He’s worth it. Every time.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him…”
— Colossians 2:6–7, ESV 🌿

You ever been so hurt by someone else’s sin that your own disobedience started to feel…justified?

I know I have.

Maybe it was the betrayal of a friend, the failure of a leader, or the cruelty of a stranger. They lied on you, manipulated, abandoned, or abused. And somewhere along the way, your heart whispered, “I deserve to be bitter.” “I deserve to clap back.” “I can do what I want now, because they crossed the line first.”

But let’s be clear: Someone else’s sin does not give you the right to sin.

That’s not how holiness works.

God doesn’t grade righteousness on a curve. He doesn’t call us to be holy if they are. He calls us to be holy because He is. (1 Peter 1:16)

Yes, what they did was wrong. Maybe even evil. But if their actions become your permission slip to act out of character with Christ, then you’ve stopped following Jesus and started following your pain.

You’re not avenging yourself—you’re chaining yourself to their disobedience. You’re allowing their rebellion to birth your own.

But sis, listen: you are not their sin. You are not what they did. And you don’t have to carry the weight of their wrongdoing by reproducing it in your own life.

Jesus didn’t go to the cross so we could become spiritual reflections of the people who hurt us. He went so we could look more like Him.

Forgive. Release. Obey. Not because they deserve it, but because He does.

That’s the freedom holiness gives us—the power to be different, even when it costs us something.

Let the cross be your compass, not your critics. Their sin is not your standard. Christ is.

You wanna know a word that’ll save your life?
Save your peace?
Save your purpose from getting hijacked by other people’s drama?

No.

That’s it. One syllable. No remix needed.
And listen—Jesus used it, and He stayed holy. So what’s stopping you?

Here’s the real: we don’t say “no” because we think it’s unloving.
Because we’re scared folk will call us selfish, stuck-up, ungrateful.
But sometimes the most godly thing you can say is “no,”
because you know that your “yes” was already spoken at the feet of Jesus.

See, when you’re out here running yourself ragged,
pleasing people that ain’t even praying for you,
you gotta ask yourself:
Whose approval am I chasing?

The Bible Ain’t Quiet About Boundaries

Proverbs 4:23 tells you straight:
“Guard your heart above all else, for everything you do flows from it.”

Guard it. Not offer it up like a free sample at Costco.
Guard it like your calling depends on it—because it does.

Jesus, who loved perfectly, still walked away.
Still hid away on a mountain.
Still said “no” when it didn’t fit the Father’s plan.

You’re not built to be omnipresent. That’s God’s job.
Your job is obedience, not overextension.

When You Say No, You’re Saying Yes To:

• Peace that don’t panic.
• Rest that don’t apologize.
• Purpose that don’t compete.
• Joy that don’t feel like a job.
• A Savior who ain’t impressed by your busyness.

How to Practice a Holy No

• Pray Before You Reply: If God ain’t cosigning, why are you signing?
• Speak Plain: “No, I can’t.” Period. No thesis statement needed.
• Hold Your Ground: Their disappointment is not your disobedience.
• Stay Free: Saying no makes room for the yes God actually called you to.

Beloved, Your Yes Is Sacred

Your yes is expensive, and the cross paid too much for you to be out here discounting your soul for claps, likes, and fake loyalty.
You don’t owe anybody an explanation for obeying God.
You don’t need a conference call to the Holy Spirit before you set a boundary.

If it ain’t aligned with the assignment, it’s okay to decline it.
God isn’t glorified by your exhaustion; He’s glorified by your obedience.

So next time the guilt creeps in…
next time the manipulation makes you second-guess…
next time you feel like you owe them something?

Open your mouth, lift your chin, and say it boldly:

“No.”

And then walk away like the daughter of the King you are

“God didn’t deny my prayer… He just answered it in a way I didn’t expect.”

When I got married, I was wearing rose-colored glasses—figuratively, of course, but oh, they were cute! I believed that love would be enough to bring two sets of boys into one beautiful family. I thought prayer and patience would smooth it all out. What I didn’t expect was the breaking, the rebuilding, and the way God would stretch my definition of love.

But here’s the truth: real love doesn’t float in on clouds—it rolls up its sleeves, shows up with casseroles and conflict resolution, and says, “I’m not giving up.”

💬 3 Truths That Reshaped My Vision

1. Structure Isn’t Punishment—It’s Love in Action

Kids with chaotic pasts often resist rules, but structure became our salvation. The “Family Table” saved our sanity and gave each child a voice—without the drama.

2. A Wife’s Voice Matters

There were seasons I felt silenced, blamed, and misunderstood. But God reminded me: my voice has value. Love includes mutual respect and listening before reacting.

3. God’s “Yes” Sometimes Comes Wrapped in Delay

I always dreamed of having a daughter. And wouldn’t you know, God gave me a granddaughter after almost a decade of blended family living. A daughter by destiny, not biology.

Scripture That Carried Me Through

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9

Dear Blended Family Queen…

Sis, you’re not alone. I see the love you give without always receiving it back. The prayers. The tears. The grace you extend. You’re not failing. You’re planting.

And one day, just like I did—you’ll look around at a dinner table full of laughter and realize: God was building something beautiful all along.

Watch the monologue:
👉🏾 Click here to watch “Rose Colored Glasses” on YouTube! https://youtu.be/EbmgdcTEqvY?si=0Xm4y-2GKtKFFbQS

💬 Drop a comment below and share your blended family story. I’d love to hear from you

A Call to Live Set Apart

Holiness ain’t optional.

But you wouldn’t know that by looking around.

Seems like we’ve traded set-apart for fitting in, exchanged righteousness for relevance. We don’t wanna be peculiar—we wanna be palatable. But last I checked, Jesus wasn’t out here trying to make everybody comfortable. Nah. He came flipping tables, calling out hypocrisy, loving the unlovable, and demanding that we follow Him fully.

Not halfway. Not with conditions. Not when it’s convenient.

All the way.

A Call to Come Higher

See, God ain’t just calling you to church attendance. He ain’t just asking for your Sunday morning or your worship playlist. He wants your heart. Your mind. Your body. Your scrolling habits. Your late-night thoughts. Your dreams. Your desires.

That means holiness is more than just what you don’t do—it’s about what you pursue.

“Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

That’s not a suggestion. That’s a command.

But somewhere along the way, we started treating holiness like an old-school dress code—outdated, unnecessary, legalistic.

So we stopped pursuing purity and started normalizing compromise.

We excused what we watched. What we listened to. Who we entertained. We got so used to the world’s noise that the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit got drowned out in the process.

And now, we’re confused about why we don’t hear God like we used to.

The Lie of “Not That Deep”

We tell ourselves, “It’s not that deep.” But it is.

That show you love but grieves the Spirit? It’s that deep.
That conversation laced with gossip and slander? It’s that deep.
That habit that nobody knows about but keeps you from praying like you should? It’s that deep.

Holiness is not about perfection, but it is about direction.

Are you walking toward God or away from Him? Are you resisting sin or justifying it?

‘Cause make no mistake—sin don’t just sit there. It spreads. It seeps into your thoughts, your desires, your affections, your heart.

That’s why we’re told to flee from sin, not flirt with it.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Sis, what do you need to lay aside?

What’s slowing you down, keeping you from running full speed toward the God who calls you His own?

Holiness Ain’t Just What You Say No To—It’s What You Say Yes To

Holiness is a whole-life pursuit. Not just avoiding sin, but pursuing righteousness. Not just emptying yourself of what’s wrong, but filling yourself with what’s good.

Holiness looks like:

• Choosing prayer over pointless distractions.
• Filling your heart with truth so lies don’t take root.
• Cutting off relationships that pull you away from God.
• Watching your words because they carry weight.
• Loving like Jesus—even when it costs you something.

This ain’t about legalism. This is about freedom. ‘Cause contrary to what culture says, real freedom isn’t doing whatever you want—it’s being untangled from what keeps you bound.

It Starts Here. It Starts Now.

The call to holiness is not for the super spiritual. It’s for the single mama juggling work and Bible study. It’s for the wife trying to love her husband like Christ. It’s for the woman leading in the boardroom and the one serving in the background.

It’s for you.

So today, make a decision. Lay aside every weight. Choose obedience over opinion. Let go of what pulls you back.

Holiness ain’t optional.

It’s the way of the called. The set apart. The redeemed.

And sis, that’s you.

---

🔥 Reflection Questions:

1. What weights do you need to lay aside to run after God more fully?
2. Where have you been compromising and calling it “not that deep”?
3. What’s one step you can take today to pursue holiness?

Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s grow together. 💜

#FaithfulFemmeNoir #HolinessAintOptional