Let’s just have a moment of honesty. Why are people so drawn to the world of secular music and TV shows? The kind where sex is the center of every lyric and every drama in the show. I think the general consensus would be because the beat is catchy or, for TV shows, because the story line is entertaining. Most Christians say, “Oh I really don’t listen to it because of the words” or “I don’t watch it for the sex because when you can get past that, it actually has a really good moral to the story.” I’m going to share a quote with you and then tell you something you’ve never heard in your life before. The quote goes like this: “Why are Christian teenagers watching the same movies and listening to the same music as their non-believing friends?” –Nancy Pearcey (from her book Total Truth) What if I told you that the reason people do watch and listen to these things is, indeed, for the sex? No matter what your mind is convincing you, you’re attracted to the physical stimulation and the emotional high it gives you to watch other people interact inside the bedroom and outside, the flirting and growth of the relationship, that lead up to being inside the bedroom. Now that’s a pretty steep accusation. You may say, “Well, Janelle, maybe for you and for others, but I can personally handle it.” But the reality is this… NO ONE CAN HANDLE EVIL. And if you can, you’re not living like you are called by Jesus to live. Jesus says to come out and be separate. To be in the world but not of it (John 17:16). That doesn’t mean you have to blend in to be a witness. It means be different so that you CAN be the witness. If you think you need to use your own personality to draw someone in so you can tell them the gospel, then your faith is in yourself and not in the power of Jesus to use Him and Him alone to share His love with others WHILE being separate from the world. We should not blend in. I spent the first eight years of my Christianity “walking out the Christian life” while at the same time dipping my toes in the realm of secular music and X rated movies. God has recently woken me up to what living life looks like with Him. That living for Him means staying as far away from evil as possible.
choosing to separate yourself from being in relationship with that perfect, never ending love. The actions that a person takes toward sin is telling God that you don’t desire His love. God wants you. And He wants ALL of you.
If we struggle with these things, we need to take a serious look at whether we are walking with Jesus or not. These things deserve our immediate attention. Not just my generation but ALL generations and the message is urgent and needs to be spread. The best way to spread it is by living it out! It isn’t easy to separate yourself. Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He tells us to be separate SO WE MAY HAVE PEACE. But then promises us that there will be trouble. I still struggle to keep myself separate when it comes to conversations and being fully bold walking for Christ. And each choice I make to shy back away from God and what He is done for me, I tell God I don’t want Him and His intimate love. I have to fall before Jesus every day and ask Him for His help and forgiveness. Jesus says in Matthew 5:48, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This kind of pursuit of Jesus requires reliance on Him every day. Reliance on Him makes us desire to give up the things that are daily separating ourselves from Him. And thank the Lord that His mercies are new every single morning (Lamentations 3:23) If you’re feeling like you want to be separate, yet each day you wake up, you feel like a power overtakes you and you find yourself back living in the same mistakes you were making yesterday, I’ve been there. And I know it’s not easy. It’s frustrating, in fact. But you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). If Jesus has called you to be separate, then by all means, He will equip you to be separate. Have faith. But having faith means moving forward in the actions He has called you to make, and you will be surprised by the power that you find yourself having in your pursuit of Jesus. Jesus can get you out of sin but you never can. It’s all about Jesus. When you do, the freedom you experience is exhilarating. Freedom from addictions and the stepping into the lifestyle of Christianity where your entire emotional, physical and spiritual self is sold out for Christ. If Jesus can equip me to do it, He can equip you too. Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6) If you’re already walking this path with me, then be encouraged that there are others out there with the same desires. Are you weird? Yes. But totally normal in Kingdom standards. Keep boldly pursuing Jesus. I’m proud of you. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorIf you want real talk, you came to the right page. Janelle will be straight forward and down to earth discussing topics with you from her heart. ReadYou will find topics regarding culture, sex, hardships, nuggets of hope, and love presented in a direct yet encouraging way. Be blessed Archives
April 2024
Feel free to share if you so desire!
Janelle LOVES talking to people. Contact her with comments or a story.
Thank you for reading!
|