A certain memory is printed in my mind with what you might call indelible ink. It has been some time now, but the image has not faded. One day I drove downtown past the movie theater, and as usual one half or more of the movies playing were rated R, (it is my judgment that in most cases this rating stands for rot) There was a line in front of the theater, and at the end of the line stood this very pretty young blond girl. I prayed, "My God, she is but a child and already they participate in destroying her morals."
Oh, foolish generation. Do we think we can immerse ourselves mentally in murder, immorality, vulgarity and ungodliness, and reap happiness, joy, prosperity, health, and eternal Life? I would think the answer ought to be obvious to us. Is it any wonder why America leads the industrialized world in vices such as: divorce, murder, rape, and violent crime? Now how's that for being the "head of the class"? I suppose some will say that there is no correlation between the violence, pornography, immorality, vulgarity and general disrespect in which this generation continually immerses itself in via the television or cinema screen and the epidemic of teen suicide, teen age sexual immorality,(what is called teen sex) abortion, (the 40 million babies American citizens have "legally" murdered since Roe vs. Wade) our national divorce rate, guns and knives being packed to school, vulgar speech used by even very small children, bombings, and people going on killing sprees. I ask you, can a person drink poison and not at least get sick? Do we dare think that the rot which the entertainment industry produces is doing anything but producing a demoralized, confused, and ruthless people?
This trash is not free speech as some would suggest. A large portion of what the entertainment industry produces is pure, unadulterated rot, and as long as it is allowed to be produced it will continue to act as a poison to the soul of our people. For who can reasonably argue that the way it works is anything other than, "garbage in - garbage out"!
What Must A Person Do About It?
- Protect yourself and your household from the vileness of modern entertainment. Follow the wisdom of Jesus who taught us that the eye is the Light of the soul, which directs the actions of the body. (Matthew 6:22 KJV) The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Follow the wisdom of the Apostle Peter who said, "... save yourselves from this untoward generation". (Acts 2:40b KJV) Practice the Apostle Paul's wisdom. (Philippians 4:8 KJV) Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.
- We must pray, confessing and turning from our personal sins, while confessing the sins of our land, petitioning the Lord for a visitation of His presence among our people. Solomon offered this wisdom, "If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land. Be encouraged and challenged that the Prophet Joel offered us the promise that God would pour out the Holy Spirit in the last days. (Joel 2:28 KJV) And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Also be encouraged that James, who was the physical brother of the Lord Jesus taught us that the the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the last days would surely come, for it is needed to bring into the kingdom of God the last great harvest of souls. (James 5:7 KJV) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it , until he receive the early and the latter rain.
- Every man must exhort his neighbor to do right, which also includes an exhortation toward law makers to enforce punishment upon those who would demoralize our nation through vile forms of entertainment. (Hebrews 3:13 KJV) But exhort one another daily, while it is call today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Ephesians 5:11KJV) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Only a moral people can be maintained as a free people, for an immoral people will become degraded and self serving, therefore not able to be vigilant to maintain justice, truth, and equity. Qualities that are foundational to a free society. That is why it is impossible to be immoral and a true patriot, you cannot be both.
- Be warned. Remember, every person will be rewarded according to the deeds done while in the body. Whether the deeds of our lives served to turn men to God, or served to turn men away from the fear of God.
Jesus voiced a warning this way, (Mathew 18:6 KJV) "But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Paul spoke his warning in this manner, (Romans 2:8-9 KJV) "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath, tribulation, and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.
A Watchman
Consider: I Co. 15:33, Ga. 5:7-10, Judges 15:1-20, Lk. 17:33, 2 Co. 7:1, Ps. 94:16, Eph. 5:1-17, Mt. 6:22, James 3:1