The Games People Play

Donnie Snyder

August 2022

Singer Joe South won a Grammy Award in 1969 for the song "Games People Play".

Here are some of the lyrics and if you are a baby-boomer, I bet you can remember the tune:

Oh the games people play now

Every night and every day now

Never meaning what they say now

Never saying what they mean

And they wile away the hours

In their ivory towers

Till they're covered up with flowers

In the back of a black limousine whoa

La-da da da da da da da

La-da da da da da de

Talking 'bout you and me

And the games people play

Oh we make one another cry

Break a heart then we say goodbye

Cross our hearts and we hope to die

That the other was to blame whoa

Neither one will give in

So we gaze at our eight by ten

Thinking 'bout the things that might have been

And it's a dirty rotten shame whoa

La-da da da da da da da

La-da da da da da de

Talking 'bout you and me

And the games people play now

Oh yeah

People walking up to ya

Singing glory Hallelujah

And they're tryin' to sock it to you

In the name of the Lord

They're gonna teach you how to meditate

Read your horoscope, cheat your fate

And furthermore to hell with hate

Come on and get on board whoah

La-da da da da da da da

La-da da da da da de

Talking 'bout you and me

And the games people play

Now wait a minute

Look around tell me what you see

What's happening to you and me

God grant me the serenity

To just remember who I am whoah

'Cause you've given up your sanity

For your pride and your vanity

Turn your back on humanity

Oh and you don't give a da da da da da

La-da da da da da da da

La-da da da da da de

I was walking the halls and playing sports on the fields of W.H. Gaston Junior High in Dallas, Texas when this song came out. I liked the tune mainly at that time but the words really did not mean that much to me. As I got older and continued to hear the song from time to time, the words became more meaningful as I thought about how true they were. Obviously, this was Joe South’s intention, to make us think about how people were really doing life.

1."Oh the games people play now. Every night and every day now. Never meaning what they say now. Never saying what they mean."

Have you encountered people in life that seem to lack sincerity? I mean for these people:

• Everything is always good with them

• No family issues

• "Yes", they will give you a call for lunch

• They will help you any way they can

I researched the word "sincerity" and here is a definition that I think says it best:

" Sincerity is the quality being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy. Sincere people represent themselves honestly and are free from double-talk, gossip, flattery, or embellishment."

Boy, have I experienced a lot of the insincere attributes listed above from the Christian community in my life journey. At times it has been heart-breaking, but guess what, at times I have done these same things. I wonder who I have let down?

How can we impact our culture with the Gospel if we can't even be authentic with one another as followers of Christ. Years ago, I heard a local Dallas businessman say that he would never do business with a so called "Christian" again because you can't trust them. So heartbreaking to hear, but this is not an isolated incident. I have witnessed many who lead with their Christian faith only to not exhibit the true qualities of the Christian faith.

Are you exhibiting the qualities of a sincere person? The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy warning against false teachers saying:

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" 2 Timothy 1:5

With love, pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith is how they were to teach. The word translated as sincere means unhypocritical. The word "hypocrisy" actually originates from the ancient Greek theater and means to put on a mask in order to be someone different than you are.

Over the years, "being authentic" has become a "hot-button" of mine. I don't always succeed, but I have learned that being appropriately authentic helps me personally and gives me a platform to speak into the lives of others. We are all "in process" and to misrepresent that human reality does no good to anyone. Think about how powerful it is when a pastor is authentic in his preaching and teaching.

Why don't you take an authentic look at how you are doing life. Are you saying what you mean and doing what you say? Real, authentic people have real authentic impact. Try it, you just might like it. I guarantee those around you will find it refreshing and meaningful dialogue just might begin.

2."Oh we make one another cry. Break a heart then we say goodbye. Cross our hearts and we hope to die. That the other was to blame whoa."

Relational damage runs rampant in our culture. All you have to do is look at the divorce rate in America. What about all the strained family relationships? Parents have alienated their children. Children have dishonored their parents. Siblings don't like each other. In-laws don't like each other nor do they like person their child has married. Neighbors don't talk because of silly differences.

The relational fallout from all of this can come in many forms, but one I most see is "painful regret".

3."Neither one will give in. So we gaze at our eight by ten. Thinking 'bout the things that might have been. And it's a dirty rotten shame whoa."

I think it is interesting that Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" Matthew 5:9 ESV

He did not say "blessed" are those who like peace, want peace, or think that peace is a good thing. He said, "blessed are the peacemakers".

Tom Constable says this:

"Peacemakers likewise replicate the work of the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7; cf. Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Eph. 2:14; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20). Jesus, through His life and ministry, made peace between God and man, and between man and man. Isaiah predicted this of Messiah (Isa. 52:7).

True disciples of Jesus make peace as they herald the gospel that brings people into a peaceful relationship with God and with one another. People who seek to make peace behave as true sons of God. God called Israel His son (Deut. 14:1; Hos. 1:10), and He charged the Israelites with bringing their Gentile neighbors into a peaceful relationship with Himself (Exod. 19:5-6). Whereas Israel failed largely in her calling, the Son of God, Messiah, succeeded completely. Those who follow Christ faithfully will demonstrate concern for the peace of humanity by leading people to Him and by fostering peace.

Lloyd-Jones suggested four things to do to foster peace: First, don't talk so much (James 1:19). Second, think about the implications of your action in the light of the gospel. Third, go out of your way to make peace (Rom. 12:20; Heb. 12:14). Fourth, spread peace where you are by being selfless, lovable, approachable, and by not standing on your dignity."

Ken Sandee wrote a great book called The Peacemaker, which drills down on how we can be peacemakers, not just lovers of peace.

I submit that there is a massive amount of regret in the lives of people who simply can't make peace with others. I certainly have some regrets even after trying to make peace in some instances, but I have a "good conscience" for trying to be a sincere person in my peacemaking efforts.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God". God will bless you for your peacemaking efforts in some way, but his ultimate blessing is being known by him as someone who has represented him well with others.

4.Look around tell me what you see. What's happening to you and me. God grant me the serenity. To just remember who I am whoah.

'Cause you've given up your sanity. For your pride and your vanity. Turn your back on humanity. Oh and you don't give a da da da da da.

Many are saying that we live in a post-Christian culture in America today. Much of what we see going on does not match up with our biblical worldview. There is concern on many fronts, but most of us are probably most concerned about our children and grandchildren. I know that I am.

I think there is great temptation now more than ever for Christians just to disengage and "check out" on our society and culture. Hey, no one is listening to biblical principles anymore, so I'll just focus in on myself and maybe my immediate family. Let's just do church once a month and maybe read a Christian book once in a while. My hobbies are more important to me now, so I will let others worry about making an impact for Christ.

God grant me the serenity to remember who I am. If you are a Christ follower, you have a commission to fulfill, it's called "The Great Commission".

Jesus told his disciples:

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

A 2017 study by the George Barna group discovered that 51% of American church goers said they never heard of the Great Commission. Does that shock you as much as it does me?

Chuck Swindoll says this:

"I’m going to say it straight: If you are a believer and you are not actively participating in fulfilling the Great Commission, you are not obeying the Lord’s calling on your life. Nobody gets a pass! Jesus’ marching orders are clear, they are not negotiable, and He expects obedient action from each of us.

I can be this bold because the Great Commission compels me to be so. Every day of my week, I dwell on this command from Christ. I’m driven by it day and night. Looking back, that was true even before I went into ministry. Looking ahead, His Great Commission will keep me from ever retiring. I’m going to do this as long as I can do it effectively. That’s what Christ expects me to do!"

Let's not turn our back on humanity by disengaging. The eternal souls of those around us are at stake. Rather, let's lean into our culture with the unfiltered truth of the bible. Go and make disciples!

You are going to have to be intentional about making disciples more than ever today. Build relationships in your neighborhood, workplace, country club, PTA, gym, or wherever you go. Earn the right through these relationships to share the redeeming work of our Savior.

Let's not get involved in the "Games People Play". Let's live as sincere people, who are peacemakers, and care about our fellow man. Therefore, go and make disciples!