When asked about the defiance of the younger generation toward the older one, my answer boils down to this: “Stop lying!”
Now, before the older generation grabs their canes and raises their eyebrows, let’s be real. Many of you raised us to tell the truth in Jesus’ name, only for us to grow up and see you weren’t practicing what you preached.
We were taught not to lie, cheat, steal, smoke, drink, cuss, gossip, or judge—and above all, to respect our elders. But as we grew, we realized that many of you weren’t holding yourselves to the same standards you held us to. And no, I’m not just talking about Santa Claus.
We sat silently through those awkward family visits. We knew where the hidden bottle of whiskey was. We saw the cigarette smoke wafting through the screen door. We heard the gossip and saw the judgment.
We watched Grandma cry over that church sister who had her children’s next sibling—knowing full well that Grandpa, the preacher, was the father. And when it came to deeper, darker truths, we also saw how the church refused to confront them.
We know who really upholds the “no-snitching” policy. To this day, you won’t “spill the beans” on Reverend So-and-So, or expose the people who was touching the children inappropriately. We know that some of you knew—and said nothing. You told us to stay silent about it, too.
So let me ask again: Do you still want us to tell the truth?
The Roots of Defiance
I’m not here to bash the older generation. This isn’t about assigning blame or assuming malicious intent. It’s about acknowledging reality. The defiance you see in us today is a direct result of the inconsistencies we witnessed growing up.
You told us one thing and lived another. You expected us to follow rules that seemed to apply only when they were convenient for you.
What we’re experiencing today is the fallout of a shadow culture—a culture where the truth was buried, secrets were protected, and appearances mattered more than accountability. Add to that the access we now have to information, and you’re left with a generation that questions everything, including you.
It’s not just rebellion. It’s a reckoning. We are the product of what was planted. We’re a mix of the values you taught us and the contradictions we saw in how you lived them.
Interestingly, the most trusted voices in our youth weren’t the ones pretending to be perfect. It was that one older relative who smoked their cigarette and told everyone’s business. They were real. They didn’t act like they had it all together, and somehow, that honesty made them more relatable—and trustworthy.
How Do We Fix It?
We start with the truth.
Stop covering for people just because of who they are. Stop pretending perfection is the standard. Allow yourself and others to be human. Acknowledge the mess—no matter who caused it.
Let God have mercy on us, just like He had mercy on you.
We don’t believe in Jesus any less. If anything, we believe in His grace more. If He could forgive you for the things you did while pretending you didn’t, imagine what He could do if we stopped hiding and started living honestly.
Nothing bridges the generational gap like truth, love, patience, and understanding. It’s time to stop pretending and start healing. Together.
Closing Thoughts
Those of us who sit between the generations are old enough to remember what we saw and, in many cases, understand the reasoning behind it. We know that much of what was done was an attempt to protect us. We know the hypocrisy wasn’t always intentional.
You wanted to preserve our innocence and give us great examples to follow. We understand that, given the time you were in, it was critical for our influences to be positive. And yes, we know we—and the generations that came after us—can be a handful and then some.
We love you for your efforts. We honor the sacrifices you made and the values you tried to instill in us.
But today, we live in the age of information, where it’s harder than ever to hide the lies. We live in an era of diverse perspectives, and we are constantly thinking, questioning, and seeking understanding.
What we need from you now is your unfiltered, unadulterated wisdom. Share your truth with us. Plant that seed in honesty, and trust that it will grow into something beautiful. Together, we can bridge this gap and build a legacy of love, transparency, and growth.
A Shout-Out to the Faithful Leaders
To the preachers, brothers, and sisters who maintain holiness while also being patient, relatable, and loving—thank you. To those who face the Information Age with grace, truth, and a willingness to share wisdom, not just perceived authority, we see you. Your efforts are noticed, and they are needed.
Justin Wilson
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