By Nathan Battey
What we are witnessing first hand is the desensitization of America (Hebrews 3:13) and we need to take heed. Twenty years ago no one would have dreamed of a mass gay wedding being a part of the Grammys, and yet this year such a scene was not even the most repulsive part of the show.
“Christian” singer Natalie Grant has received praise for walking out during Katy Perry’s performance.* Good for her. Why didn't more people leave? Does Satanic seance not make most people so uncomfortable that they want to leave? The other question I have right now is this: Why are so many appalled by the Satanic séance yet not by the mass gay wedding? One features the creator of evil and the other features his creation. Why aren't more people appalled by Beyonce and Jay-Z's explicit performance? I'm glad people are outraged about the seance, but wish people felt the same about everything else that took place.
Three times in Scripture Paul uttered the words “Do not be deceived…” Paul was warning Christians to take special care and not let the world influence their thinking – for thinking influences action. What exactly was it that Paul was concerned about Christians being influence to accept?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Remember: “Such were some of you.” We have to remember where we have come from and continue fleeing our past lest we find ourselves again entangled in it. Yes it is possible for those who have been washed and sanctified to revert back to a sinful state. Yes it is possible to fall from grace -Galatians 5:4. Do not be deceived, it can happen to you if you don’t keep up your guard.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
Why is it that though we would never keep company with the types of people listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 in person, we hang out with them on a regular basis through our televisions. Little by little Satan is desensitizing us through the movies and shows we watch. For example: “Grudge Match” – an average PG-13 (not R) comedy action movie - contains 77 curse words. “The Big Bang Theory” – Americas’ top rated comedy sitcom – thrives on premarital sexual relations and mocking the existence of God. Even “Good Luck Charlie” –a kids show on the Disney channel - is getting into the action by introducing a character that has two lesbian mothers as parents in an attempt to pass such behavior off as “normal” to children. Paul’s warning cannot be equaled: “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
Galatians 6:7
“ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
If we turn our minds and the minds of our children over to the influence of this world, we will reap what we have sown. It amazes me how many people who claim to be Christians have never read their Bible through in its entirety. How can we expect to sow righteousness when we are not daily filling our minds with righteous words? How is it that we can find time to watch the entire Star Wars saga multiple times, but can never find time to read our Bibles through even once?
Take some time today and read Psalms 119. Yes this is the longest chapter in the Bible, but it is also the most compelling passage of Scripture as to the power of God’s word. If you want to transform your life into the image of God’s Son and have a positive impact on those around you, you must get into God’s Word – there are no substitutes. Put down the remote, pick up your Bible, and let God speak to you with His own words. When you’re done listening, get down on your knees and thank God for the blessed privilege you have just enjoyed. Repeat daily and often.
I close with the words of Paul to the young evangelist Timothy. May we all heed this admonition:
1 Timothy 3:13-15
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.