Japanese Drama Review 4 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Brand Names

Makino comments on the luxury she observes at Eitoku High School. She notices the students arriving in expensive cars, the brand name purses and bags the students bring with them, and the pricey jewelry they wear. We agree this is excessive for school.

Although Makino’s comments seem to criticize and question the necessity of brand items in her school, we need to caution her because she pays so much attention to noticing what others have. This reveals it’s not what she has. Possibly this may be because her family has little in comparison to other Eitoku families. Or, it may be that covetousness has slowly crept into Makino’s morale and she has yet to understand it. Irrespective of the reason for this, it would be a good opportunity to discuss the sovereignty of God, His providences, materialism and the life the Lord has called His own to live.

Brand names do not add to the identity of a believer. We are created in His image. He bought us with a price, and through sanctification we are slowly changed to become more like the Lord. We are to carry the brand of Christian – and the brand is the fruit of our faith. His is Lord, and we are called to follow Him.

If Makino is wrestling in her soul with jealousy and covetousness it is important that she meditate on Psalm 1. She is not to be caught up in the lives of those who could lead her astray. Through focusing on truth she will become like a tree planted by streams of water. She will prosper.

• Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

• You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask (James 4:2).

• What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." (Romans 7:7)

• The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:22-24).

1. What are some practical discussions that Makino’s family could have with her to help her walk away from temptation?

2. If you are facing the same or a similar temptation, what truths should you be focusing on to not fall into temptation, and be swayed from what you know is true?

#brandnames #coveteousness