Sam Hardman
When we encounter things that we believe to be objectionable – ideas, images, music, film, etc. – how should we respond? In my most recent sermon I said something that is open to misunderstanding and that I want to clarify. The text I was speaking on was Romans 12:1-2 in which, among other things, Paul is calling Christians not to be conformed to this present age, but rather to have our minds renewed, and part of what I said went something like this:
“Maybe you’ve been exposed to something through some of your friends. It could be something as simple as a comedy series or a podcast. All your friends are watching it, and you don’t want to be left out, you want to be part of the conversation, so you watch it too. The first time you watch it you know that there are some things that are not good or right. Maybe some bad language. Maybe some ideas you know are not good. Maybe some sexual innuendo or worse. Maybe gratuitous violence. But you believe you can handle it (it’s just media after all), and you want to be a part of the group. So you keep watching. And over time your standards begin to change. Now it’s easier to watch other programs and media with the same elements, and even worse. Images, words, ideas, have come into your brain, through your senses, and they impact who you are, what you do, what you believe.”
Objections are sometimes raised to this line of argument, and they often go something like this: How are we to be salt and light in the world if we sequester ourselves in “Christian ghettos?” If we cut ourselves off from all the things our non-Christian friends and acquaintances are watching and talking about and care about, how will we ever be able to engage with them? Isn’t it a form of “legalism” to reject something because one part, or a few parts, of it may be objectionable? And can’t we just be adults?
I will readily grant that there is complexity to be dealt with here, and not all situations should be painted with the same brush. In fact, there is obviously far more complexity than can be dealt with adequately in a short post like this one. But let me at least try to make a start, and the way I propose to do so is simply to pose a few questions of my own that are intended to point to principles of guidance for real life situations. Here goes.
What is my motivation? Is it really holy? All other things being equal, I might engage in or watch or listen to something for relational purposes that I might not regard as totally good or wholesome in itself. For example, I might read a portion of the Koran recommended by a Muslim friend so that I can engage in genuine discussion around the ideas contained in it. I might listen to a podcast that represents a point of view very different from my own because someone in my family is listening to it. I might watch a film that I think has harmful elements so that I can evaluate and represent it accurately. Within limits, choices such as these can be perfectly good – and may even be necessary – for a Christian to make in some circumstances. Sometimes we may even find that we need to change in order really to be true to Scripture. On the other hand, if I am simply seeking my own entertainment or enjoyment, that is quite a different matter. We need to be honest with ourselves before the God who knows whether we are being honest or not. Enjoyment is a good only if the thing being enjoyed is also good.
Is there a genuine question of morality at stake? Am I being asked to approve of (or perhaps laugh at) things that are wicked? Simply put, the moral law of God is to be taken seriously at all times, not just when it’s convenient or when I choose to do so. For example, if a film I’m considering watching contains elements that I think are likely to be a source of temptation to lust, how exactly do I justify watching that film? How seriously do I take the commandments of God? Jesus said that harboring lustful thoughts is tantamount to adultery. Do I believe him? Do I care? He also said that if my eye offends me, pluck it out. How seriously is he taking the command? Perhaps we are far too casual about such things.
Is this a “disputable” matter? – If so, then I have freedom so long as I am not causing a brother or sister to stumble. But is my conscience troubled by it? Can I participate in it in faith? If my conscience is troubled and I cannot participate in faith, then to do so is, for me, sin (Romans 14:23).
Does this involve an area of strength or weakness for me? – This is related to the question above, and requires that I have an objective view of myself. If I am prone to a temptation in a particular area, I should be particularly careful about exposing myself to that temptation. If it is an area in which I have genuine and consistent experience with resisting temptation, and if there is an overriding good to be achieved, then participation may be permissible. But even in areas where I think I am strong, I must “take heed lest [I] fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).
Fundamentally, obeying the command not to be conformed to the world, but rather to have our minds transformed, must mean something. We must not simply seek to justify everything that we have always done, or want to do. To do so would be to provide stark evidence that we are, in fact, being conformed to this present evil age rather than being transformed by the renewal of our minds. Are we to create “Christian ghettos?” Certainly not. Are we to run away from every challenge to our faith? Faith that does so is not worthy of our calling. Rather, our faith must be informed and strengthened so that it can pass the test of any challenge. But we must not use these legitimate conclusions to eviscerate the commands of Romans 12:1-2, and deprive them of all their force. Learning not to be conformed to the pattern of this world involves deep, massive, spiritual change. Is that what we are experiencing? Is it what we want?