It is everywhere—lots of flesh, provocative poses, suggestive moves, lyrics and dialogue—all calculated to stir the passions of young or old, male or female.
Mankind's desire for physical pleasure is used to purvey every kind of product and service in every form of media. It is slick. It is colorful. It is well done—and it is effective. Sadly, great talent and creative ability go into producing a flood of images and sounds that lead people to focus on misusing sexuality—a gift from the Creator God that is wonderful when used as He intended.
See the little girls scantily dressed in provocative poses. See the young women exposing themselves with bare midriffs, wearing underwear as outer garments. See the popular singers—female and male—gyrating in simulated sex acts. See this on television, on the Internet, at the video rental store, on the cinema screen and plastered on the many magazines that crowd supermarket checkout lanes.
What is driving this cascading downturn in our nations' morals? Greed plays a huge role. Businesses use sex to sell fashion goods, to gain huge profits from an affluent younger generation that is very susceptible to peer pressure and to the antics of "superstars" who flaunt their bodies and their avant-garde fashions. This greed is fueled by an almost complete abandonment of the Ten Commandments and moral teachings in homes and schools across the land.
And it is not only young people who are fascinated by, or immersed in, degrading activity. Television shows like "Desperate Housewives" are very popular with adults, and the scantily clad cheerleaders at professional sports events are a big drawing card for fans.
What has been the result of this downward moral slide? The modern lifestyle is not bringing happiness, prosperity or stability to those whom it misleads. Disease, both mental and physical, is rampant—often with life-altering or even life-threatening consequences.
Our Creator knew that it was within the base nature of mankind to have these problems. Accordingly, in the Bible—His handbook for human happiness—He gave basic rules of conduct to prevent the problems we are experiencing today.
For example, the Seventh Commandment gives the basic rule prohibiting adultery (Exodus 20:14). Leviticus 18 gives even more detail, strictly forbidding incest, pedophilia, homosexuality and bestiality. Jesus Christ made matters even plainer when He magnified that ancient code of godly conduct, saying, "You have heard it was said to those of old, 'you shall not commit adultery.' But, I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery in his heart" (Matthew 5:27–28). Paul wrote, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4).
What will be the end for those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice and to repent of these sins? "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).
Today, sex sells. But let the buyer beware, for God's righteous judgment awaits unrepentant sinners. While there is time, do not fail to get the spiritual help you need to come out of this world and avoid the punishment that is sure to come (Revelation 18:4).
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The above is adapted from one of the many commentaries, discussing vital topics facing our world, available at the www.lcg.org and www.tomorrowsworld.org Web sites.