Ron Writes
The bumper sticker on the car in front of me read “I’m a drop the F-bomb kind of mom.” Is that something to be proud of? It seems that folks are becoming more brazen about their bad behavior. Communities have been awash in the rainbow wave where the message is to be proud and celebrate everything outlandish and vulgar. Things we wouldn’t whisper about in the dark are broadcast in open daylight. Today’s motto seems to be “the more outrageous the better.” Is there any shame? They encourage bad behavior (Rom. 1:32). They will malign and slander those who try to live godly (1 Pet. 3:16; 4:4).
If you think that in the history of the world no one has ever seen this kind of behavior, you’d be wrong. Stories of violence and perversion fill the pages of Scripture. Imagine what Noah endured living in a world where “every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continuously” (Gen. 6:5). Or Lot who was “oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men” (2 Pet. 2:7). “Licentiousness” (Jude 4) is an old word not heard very often today. It refers to those who Lack moral restraints, especially regarding sexual behavior. Habakkuk wrote “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies” (2:15)! Ours is not the first generation to know how low man can descend.
So what should the Christian response be? Should we join counter protests in the streets? Do we wag our heads and tsk-tsk our disapproval and frustration? Do we have a plan of action? Paul says strive to live by a higher standard of living (Phil. 3:12-17). Live as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20). He says this in light that there are “enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19). Paul asks an important question, “What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed” (Rom. 6:21)? Remember that we were rescued from shameful lives (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph. 2:2). Of course, the entire Bible is a cautionary tale, and there are special warnings (2 Pet.; Jude, etc.) to watch ourselves, not get caught up in lustful living and to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:10).
