Friday; October 19

If you were to listen to the critics of modern society you would think that we are the inventors of sexual sin and depravity.  The pessimists seem to be convinced that today is worse than it has ever been and there is no hope for purity in the future.  While I have to admit that sexual temptation is readily available, ours is not the first generation to deal with the issue. Does anyone remember the “sexual revolution” of the late 1960s and early 1970s?  Joshua Zeitz defined the “flappers” of the 1920s as “... the notorious character type who bobbed her hair, smoked cigarettes, drank gin, sported short skirts, and passed her evenings in steamy jazz clubs, where she danced in a shockingly immodest fashion with a revolving cast of male suitors.” .  The truth of the matter is that sexual temptations have always been with us – in fact, the New Testament which was written over 2000 years ago warns, “I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.” (II Corinthians 12:21).  Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not defending modern society; my point is that we are not in uncharted territory.  The good news is that we have resources that can help us deal with our challenges. 
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christian church in Ephesus he provided them with a simple, straightforward way to pursue purity, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).  Let’s be aware of the dangers that are present in our modern age, but let’s also realize that we have access to help through the comfort and wisdom of the Ancient Words.
Think About It!

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