It's Time to Wake Up

I've had this on my mind a lot the past few days and just feel the need to write about it. Let me Preface it by saying that I'm speaking to myself as much as anything. I'm by no means perfect and hold no illusion that I'm anywhere close. So here goes.

If we claim to be Christians, have you given much thought lately as to just how coarse and unrighteousness popular music is? That question is surely not to be a popular one, but for most of us, it's an everyday issue we should give thought to. My girls have been studying Ephesians the last several weeks for Bible Bowl and here's what stuck with me:

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. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. .....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. (Eph.5:3-5;11-12)

 So what's the practical application? You're thinking, well I dont do those things? What part has really slapped ME across the face this week? Pay attention to that last part. For it is SHAMEFUL even to SPEAK of the things done in secret.
It is no secret what he's talking about here. He just went through the list right before this. Other versions say " it is shameful even to speak of the things done in the dark." I really don't think I have to spell it out here. But yet we blast it from our car radios or iPods without even thinking about it. And here's how this little speech is directed at me just as much as anyone. My kids shouldn't even know the tune to "Fancy" or "All About That Bass" or "Bang Bang Into The Room". But they do. Because I haven't been diligent in keeping their hearts pure and I've allowed these songs to play in our van over the radio waves. It's mostly because I don't pay attention like I should sometimes. I've become complacent. They are fun, upbeat songs and I allow that to blind me to the fact that they are singing about sin and how great it is.

What about you? Do you realize these perverse words are being broadcast all day long every day? And here locally, this week, they are followed by commercials and free ticket promos to Disney on Ice. As Christians we have GOT to be more diligent in guarding our hearts and minds. And the hearts and minds of our children. They are going to have more than enough exposure to these things without us as their parents being the ones to expose them to it. Or fill their minds with tunes singing about it.
We have got to come to the point where this kind of thing makes us blush. Because frankly, it doesn't. And that's shameful.

There once was a man. His name was Jesus. He DIED for us. And just the word "died" doesn't really do it justice. Aside from all the physical abuse he took on, he took on ALL the pain and suffering of every last sin in the history of EVER. Back up in that verse Paul says that instead, let there be thanksgiving. One simple way to say "thanks"? Turn off the filth. Be aware of the ways the devil gets to our heart. I know this week as we focus on being thankful, I'm putting this one at the top of my list. Will you?