Slipping Away

There is a story , I wish I could remember form which book or sermon I heard it from , about a Chinese Emperor sending out spies to see what type of music and writings were being performed to get a feel for the morality of the people. The more sensual and debased pointed to a culture in deep moral decline.

Having grown up in the 60's and 70' mainly , I still recall TV ,music and movies being fairly tame. Yes you had swearing and some sexual situations in movies, but in general ,it was pretty tame.  Plus there was a clear distinction between good and evil . Even movies like Jaws or The Omen seem pretty lame to the new kids out there watching films.TV didn't start getting more risqué till the late 70's . Even then I remember pretty strict guidelines for swearing and sex.Even in music , although influenced by the 60's free love movement , still maintained a certain tongue and cheek approach and there were many artist that one could still listen to that didn't go there. 

However since the  80's , if I was a Chinese Emperor sending out spies , I would recoil in horror at what is on TV, in the Theaters, on our MP3's  and now even on our computers . The graphic violence in TV,Music,Movies seems to have exploded within the last 25 years. Unlike Psycho and the infamous shower scene, that shocked people then without really showing much , today the movies need to show every gut wrenching detail. Movies like Hostel,Saw show gore beyond description. Bands like Cannibal Corpse write lyrics not fit to be read .

Then you have sex . Movies , TV and the Internet are filled with pornography at the click of a remote or mouse. Then on TV shows every deviant form of sex is promoted as normal. From living together,to promiscuousness ,to homosexual and  lesbian love being passed off as normal , you have direct and blatant attack of God's given standard of what is healthy sexuality. Man and woman , married in a monogamous relationship.Plus we have had the rise of the bad guy being cheered for. That he is the "good"guy .

Music has become so debased and vulgar that what Elvis did to shock back in the 50's by shaking his hips , looks like a Sesame Street dance . It seems we are heading in a spiral of debauchery .

So what are we to do ? As Christians we are called to be salt and light , helping stop the tide of the depravity around us . But one of the first things we need to do is realize that what we see around us is normal for the natural man . Paul addressed this in Romans when he talked about God handing men and women over to their sins . In a way it is a judgment. God lifting His restraining hand against sin ,and letting the lust of that person take over.

 First  we need to realize that what we see around us is the outworking of the sinful nature. Pagans will be pagans . Second we must be discerning about all that we watch,listen to . I'm not saying that we need to turn only to Christian TV,music or movies (some of it is horrible anyway)but be mindful of the message its sending. I have no problem with art talking of what the real world looks like around me, but does it go well beyond , pushing the boundaries of decency . Is it violence for violence sake, how graphic is the sexual encounters and what is the world view. Does it portray a fallen world honestly or does it push a world view onto us. This is happening huge when it comes to the acceptance of gay relationships. Just turn on your TV.

Jesus interacted with the culture around him. He ate with prostitutes ,liars,thieves(tax collectors). Paul as well quoted from poets of his day . But what we must be is in the world but not of it. We need to show a dying world how the gospel works itself out in what we watch ,listen to and love . This is a tension that can sometimes choke the life from our faith. The world is seductive. We need to be willing to cut off anything that could cause us to stumble.

This world needs the gospel . The life transforming message of the cross of Christ. So let us instead of lamenting and entering our bunkers , what  we need to do is live real lives before the world . Showing how we once were sinners , in love with all that sin could offer. That we placed idols of sex,money,power etc.. and loved them instead of our creator. But God in His mercy and grace , opened the grave to show us our dead rotting sinful selfs in light of His holiness , the wrath that was due us for sin in everlasting hell . Then pointed to that place on Calvary where Jesus took my sin , one who was made sin on my behalf , so that I might be forgiven and given His righteousness. That will transform , that will bring light to the darkness.

So to keep us pure may we trust in Christ and reflect on this passage of scripture to help us remain in the world but not of it .

    [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:8-9 ESV)