I recently said to a friend “what part of ‘hesitate to speak of sin’ was that?” and they replied saying that I was being oversensitive.

That’s a very good point. And that’s where my name change and my new profile picture came from, because this world is all about desensitizing us to the sin around us. We’re supposed to be “transformed by the renewing” of our minds, and “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world” and that’s exactly what happens when we are desensitized.

We watch enough sexually inappropriate (and may I add, popular and frequently viewed) tv shows and movies and we are desensitized to the fact that it is basically flipping God off. We listen to enough vulgar and demeaning and all together truth-suppressing music and we become desensitized to the fact that it is taking beautiful things God has made and twists and distorts them into things that are sending people to hell.

Like, for example, a friend who recently made a comment about a male body part in an unnecessary and, truth be told, very offensive way. Yes, God created that body part, and yes, when used to glorify Him (as funny as that sounds) it’s not anything bad. But when it’s referenced in a way that offends the listeners (christian young women), and is completely, utterly unnecessary, that is not right and part of the desensitization.

So, DON’T BE DESENSITIZED!!!

To use Paul’s words – “I appeal to you … by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” -Ephesians 5:3-4 (ESV)

So I’ve been thinking about this a lot in recent weeks (for those of you who hang out with me more often then not, you have experienced me singing it at you first hand) and I have decided to blog about it.

There is so much that we see as entertainment in American culture that is so entirely vulgar and inappropriate for Christian’s to be listening to, watching and experiencing, but we do, particularly at Mars Hill, because we’re “engaging culture.”

There is a very, very fine line between “engaging culture” and “embracing it” and I think that it is particularly easy for younger (age-wise) Christians to not realize they’re on the wrong side of the line. (myself included) And one of the easiest to fall into is the sexually inappropriate stuff, mainly because sex is such a prominent thing in our world today.

The way the NIV says Ephesians 5:3 is that “among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” Not even a HINT of sexual immorality, let alone singing and listening to entire songs about it (“Apple-Bottom Jeans,” “Soulja Boy,” “I Kissed a Girl” to name a few popular ones). All that does is show the world that as Christians we’re making light of prostitution, nasty sex outside of marriage, and homosexuality.

I like the way the commentary for this passage put it on Biblegateway.com.

“Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness (including our enjoyment in music) should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God’s glory.“

Paul continues in Ephesians 5 -

“Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.“

I am by no means suggesting that we pull away into a Christian bubble and only listen to Christian music and watch Christian movies and read Christian books. That’s not “engaging” the world (but that’s another blog all together). I am saying, however, that we are supposed to “be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

So if you ever hear me sing at you the line from Emphasis, “Hesitate to speak of sin,” know that this is where it’s coming from, and that I love you.

So I’ve been calling my friends on things like when Ephesians talks about how we need to “hesitate to speak of sin” and this afternoon I’ve been realizing that I am a complete hypocrite.

I call people on listening to the “i kissed a girl and i liked it” song, and I do them one worse.

I call people on coupling off, and again I fantasize about doing one worse.

Abba, save me from my own horrible desire to walk in my sin.
Help me to put on the armor of You and to fight the prince of darkness.