(1 Thessalonians 5:22)
One of the more troubling things for me in
this media culture we live in are the mixed signals many of the most famous
athletes and entertainers send out in regard to their faith. Let me say up
front, I am not judging anyone's salvation. Only God knows a person's heart,
so we should never, ever try to say a person is saved or lost. However, a
person's actions often give an indication of where they are at spiritually.
Britney Spears is one of pop music's top performers. It is well publicized
that she is a Christian, reads her Bible daily, and has taken a vow of
abstinence until marriage. I applaud her stand on abstinence and hope many
of her fans will follow her example. There is a great contradiction, though,
in Britney's professed faith in Christ and the image she portrays in her
singing career. For those who read my Devotionals daily, you know I have
been through much in my own life and am not into finger-pointing, but
simply sharing the truth of God's Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring
you under conviction. From the lyrics in the songs she sings, to the
clothing she wears, to the choreographed dance routines...all are based on
sex.
Britney is not alone though. Toni Braxton has several ministers in her
family, Mariah Carey is one of pop's superstars, N Sync is the hottest group
today, and many more of the superstars in music and film profess a faith
in Christ, yet their professional careers are built around marketing sex to
the masses. We also have famous athletes, very visible and bold about
proclaiming their faith in Christ, yet living lives that would call into
question their level of commitment. The purpose today is not to question
the salvation of these people. It is not to humiliate them for the sins in
their lives, for we ALL have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Most of
us are fortunate that our sins aren't printed in the National Enquirer or on
the 6 o'clock news. No, my friend, the purpose is to highlight the mixed
signals many of these high profile people send out.
The Bible says clearly that we are to avoid the appearance of evil. This is
a powerful verse. Why? Because there is a world, a lost world, watching.
Never forget that your most powerful witness, your loudest witness for
Christ is NOT what you say, but how you live. People watch you, they notice
how you live day to day. Having Christ in your life, living for Him daily,
makes you different, and people notice that difference. Again, I am not
here to judge Britney Spears or any other celebrity that professes to be a
Christian. I have enough problems taking care of my own life. However, due
to the fact these people are so visible, have so many people that idolize
them and imitate them, what they portray, even though it may not be who
they really are, influences many people. THAT is why the Bible says to
"avoid the appearance of evil." How you act influences others.
I love you and care about you so much. I will be praying today that you
will be aware that as you are living your life day to day, people are
watching you. As you make it known that you are a Christian, people will be
looking to see what is different about your life. Of course, in your own
strength, there is nothing. But when you are living in the power of the
Holy Spirit, there is everything. We possess a power greater than anything
known in the universe. The key is tapping into that power each day. We do
that in our time of prayer and in our time reading the Word each morning. We
do that by dying to self daily and letting His will, not our will be done
each day. It is what Jesus said when He told us that we "are the salt of
this earth," and that we are to "let our light shine."
