So as you may know, I am not on social media. It’s been well over a year now without using apps like Snapchat, TikTok, or Instagram–and man, is there freedom in not following the grain! The things I have gained by removing myself off of these apps is immeasurable. Every couple months, my curiosity peaks and I open up the Instagram app that my husband uses for his work account from time to time. I open up the app to see if anything’s changed–nope. It’s about the same old vain public sphere it used to be when I was a user…just a little bit more sexualized each time. You open the “for you” page and depending on what you search for, your innocence can slowly be erased. (You can argue that for the internet in general, but we’re talking about social media since it’s become a typical way of man’s life in the 21st century) Whether it’s women in provocative swimwear and party clothes that lures a man’s eye, or men posting shirtless selfies at the gym that catches the female eye, you are left desensitized a little more than you were before. And for what? It’s all vanity.
Now of course, you might say, Vanessa there are good, wholesome accounts out there that share Christian values and promote modesty and marriage. Yes! I’m not talking about the minority. I’m discussing the over-sexualized secular culture that parades itself as what most people think is ‘normal’ in today’s world. This doesn’t just happen overnight. Slowly, over the years, the sexual revolution has slipped itself into the normality of man’s life–making humanity more accustomed to seeing the everyday perversion online (and in person, for that matter) something most don’t even bat an eye at.
Friend, may I share this with you in love: You are deceived by the enemy when you walk in the world’s way of thinking. I know this firsthand, I used to be in your shoes. The bible teaches us, “For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). But, God. My God is good and gracious to those who call on the name of Lord and abide in His ways. Verse 17 says, “but he who does the will of God abides forever.” My God will save. My God will purge the sin from your very blind eyes and give you a new life. “There is therefore no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit!” (Romans 8:1) But I digress. Let’s back up.
To quote the words of Solomon, “all is vanity, there is nothing new under the sun.” Like the title of this blog post says. Living in our current culture brings (almost) nothing new to what the days were in the Old Testament. In 2 Chronicles 28, when King Ahaz was reigning it says, “He did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord…he made molded images for the Baals…and burned his children in the fire” (v. 1-3). He burned his children in the fire as a living sacrifice. The intentional killing of another human. In today’s culture it’s called abortion. Abortion is the world’s way of saying child sacrifice. The mother of the child is sacrificing the child’s life for her own. The parallel passage to this is in 2 Kings 17 which says, “And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord” (v. 17). Do you see the similarities yet? What about this verse: “But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. However, they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals. So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day” (2 Kings 17:39-41). We are sinners in need of a Savior; yet people already know that but they do not change their ways. You just read that in the verse above! “They feared the Lord, yet served their carved images.” Maybe you are unfamiliar with the gospel and the Lord has not fully opened your eyes. Read Romans 1 to learn more about those who suppress the truth of God.
Nothing new is under the sun. People have been the same for all of humanity, but the secular/pagan world does not see this as clearly to those living with a biblical worldview. You might even throw progressive Christians into the mix with secular culture. We must go back to the beginning to gain understanding. Those believing in evolution or those that taint the beginning of God’s creation don’t see the impact of Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden. Some believe Adam and Eve weren’t actual persons! (Read more about that in Erwin Lutzer’s book, The Eclipse of God, page 184-187) The sin that started it all and the necessity for our Savior to come is essential to grasping the human condition and where to find hope. To finish my original point, we are lost people living in a broken world. Only through the shed blood and power of Jesus Christ are we made whole again. We must live out our life according to His word and His will for us. Start reading the gospel of John if you are new to the faith. Or maybe you are a believer but have lost your way. Put down the social media apps, repent of your pride (which we all can do a little bit more of), and follow the One true God of the Bible who can save you from this life. Not just now, but for eternity. Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before you this day to acknowledge our sins as a fallen and broken world. Let us repent from our wicked ways. We fall short daily, and we will never be able to come to the Father without Your Son Jesus Christ. It is through His life, death, and resurrection that we are made new. So let us put off our old, former ways and clothe ourselves as new creations in Christ. Order my steps Lord, so that I don’t go to the left or to the right–but that I stay on the path you have led me to. It is written; be holy, for I am holy. Lord, we love You and we praise You. Thank you for your grace and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen!
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