“A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his eyes” (Proverbs 20:8).
Sometimes the most effective way to eradicate misbehavior, especially in youngsters, is with “The Look”. Fred Jones, a shrewd classroom management observer, describes it as the one England’s Queen Mary gave. It clearly communicated her disapproval. Mr. Jones called it the “I am not amused look”.
The “I am not amused” look is not a blind eye which overlooks a child’s misbehavior. Rather, it is the stare which informs a child that his current antics are clearly seen, are wildly inappropriate, and will continue to be noted until there is a course correction. Instead of rewarding a child’s misbehavior by addressing it orally and possibly starting a quarrel—which any fool can do (Prov. 20:3), “The Look” continues until the guilty changes his behavior.
In an educational setting, it frequently is highly effective. It brings a classroom’s focus in a quiet, negative way upon the one who is being a hindrance to learning. Few things eradicate a student’s misbehavior as quickly as having his peers tell him to “knock it off”.
Jesus Himself demonstrated the powerful potency of “the Look”: “But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So, Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:60-62, emp. added).
