Not Even a Hint?

Wow, where do I begin on this topic.  I guess I would start with the book by Josh Harris called “Sex is Not the Problem. (Lust Is)” previously titled “Not Even a Hint.”  This book is to both men and women about staying pure.  It’s a great book and one that was definitely an encouragement to me.  Instead of taking a legalistic (like most do in these books) he takes the approach that when tempted we need to run to the cross and to the gospel. 

This book is placed around the verse from Ephesians 5:3 which says, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”  First, I must say that the word “hint” isn’t used in the original Greek, but that is what is meant when the original says that it “Must not be named.”  In this phrase we see that no sin should be mentioned about us.  Not that we should do this sins in private, even though these sins are specific to being private sins, but that we should strive to be above sins to the point that if someone comes to accuse you of either of these sins they will have to make something up.  As the NIV says “Not even a hint".”

I recently had a conversation with a friend about some movies he was watching.  In a specific movie there is a very graphic sex scene.  I didn’t know this when he let me borrow it and when it came on I was shocked.  I couldn’t believe that this was a movie he owned.  When I approached him about it he said that the sex scenes don’t bother him.  —> I can already hear you saying, “What about those that aren’t tempted by the sin of pornography?”  To that question I would say that my answer is twofold.  The only people that aren’t tempted by the sin of pornography are either gay or they are so enthralled with pornography that it isn’t a temptation anymore they just jump into looking at it.  I would also say with this subject, the person I’m talking about has mentioned to me that this is a sin he struggles with.

Knowing that this is a sin he struggles with I am praying and trying to help with his sanctification especially in this area.  I am lost as to what to say when I am faced with this.  I mentioned Ephesians 5:3 to him and he said that since they didn’t effect him, there wouldn’t be a hint in him.  Of course, this is not the case, but I’m not sure how to approach this.  It seems to me that this is a pride issue in that he doesn’t see how much his sin is affecting him, but what are all my reader’s opinions? Does watching a movie with a sex scene effect your thought life or any part of your walk with Christ?

Everybody’s Doing It

The phrase “everyone is doing it” has taken the stage once again showing it’s ugly head for conservatives.  Issues such as pornography, gay marriage and abortion, were outlawed in the past and up until the early 60′s people didn’t do anything about it because, frankly, people didn’t care.  The only people that cared were the people actually wanting the “procedures” done.  William Saletan of Slate magazine recently did an article titled “The Mainstreaming of Marijuana” in which he gives 6 reasons why he believes marijuana will be legalized within a few years time.

Are we that selfish as to need to have a temporary high in order for us to toss our cares away?  There are few medical purposes that I would even consider someone using marijuana to treat.  Even then, those can be treated with other medicines.  Most people that use it are because they are depressed and they think that by getting a little high they will be able to get away from their problems.  Guess what they end up learning.  It Works!!!, but only for the first few times.  After that they have to smoke a little more for the pain to dull and they end up getting so wasted that they can’t tell how much time they’ve wasted. 

With the legalization of marijuana we are going to see our culture go down the drains even faster than before.  Parents are always being told that they shouldn’t punish their kids because “it’s natural for your children to want to do that.”  Yes, it is natural because every child is born with a sin nature.  When the US finally legalizes this children acting out is only going to be a small part of the problem.  People that have depression issues are going to start smoking this and they are going to fell great.  They’ll miss a few days of work, but no big deal.  Then, it will be a few more, and a few more until they’re fired from their job.  This will make them more depressed and they will want to smoke more.

This isn’t just for those with depression issues.  This is with everyone.  Currently, most states have some form of requirements for their police officers and one of the requirements is that they have to have a clean record, including drug charges.  If we legalize marijuana will we erase the priors of every person in the system?  These are only surface questions and statements. 

I think the argument of to legalize or not to legalize marijuana is a false dichotomy.  The real question would be, “Why do people want to legalize marijuana?”  I think once we answer this question a lot more of what life really is would make sense to a lot of people.  I think that the people that have depression need to see why they have depression.  My own personal reason would be because it’s a sin issue, but that that’s a different argument for a different time.  My point is that, is the phrase “everybody’s doing it” really a good excuse for legalizing something?