Articles
Society’s View of Sin
Gone With the Wind was a landmark film. Although it was acclaimed by many as a beautiful love story, I am disturbed by the fact that it opened the door to the pervasive filthy language that is in almost every movie that hits the market now. When Gone With the Wind came out, the one curse word used in it caused upset among the nation. Now, it is commonplace for a film to have upwards of 40 or 50 filthy words, including taking the Lord’s name in vain! The worst part about it is society now considers it normal and acceptable. It is obvious that society’s view on sin and filth is much different from the view a Christian should take on it.
We sometimes look out on today’s world and consider how terrible it is, thinking it is worse than it has ever been. I do not believe that is the case. I am reminded of the world in Noah’s day in which “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Wickedness is prevalent in the world today. It seems as if the heart of society is set on evil constantly. Another place and time that reminds me of modern society's spiritual condition is Corinth in the first century. Acts 18 tells us that the Corinthians in the synagogues opposed and reviled Paul’s teaching and even sought to harm him or anyone else who upheld the truth. Corinth was known for sexual immorality, idolatry, and corruption. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists sins that had been committed by some of the Christians there, a list of sins still committed in the world today. There are, of course, good people found throughout the world. In Noah’s day and in Corinth there were some good people. What set these people apart from the evil surrounding them? Their view of sin. We all know people who are considered to be good and moral but may not fear God like He demands. These people follow a law of nature, one written on their hearts (Romans 2:14-15). As Christians, we have that natural law as well but it is superseded by God’s holy law found in the Bible.
Why is the world so evil then? It is because mankind ignores God’s law and natural law in order to fulfill his own lusts and desires. Please take a moment to read Romans 1:18-32. God expects all men to know Him. Man is without excuse. However, man refuses God and commits all sorts of evils against Him. Included in this passage is another list of heinous sins that reflects what happens in our world. Another answer to the question at hand is that their view of sin is skewed. In fact, many people think there is no such thing as sin! Sadly, people blatantly ignore the laws of God.
Our present day society would have us relax our view on sin. People look at the Bible and its laws and say they are old fashioned, perhaps useful in the distant past. They believe the sins identified in the Scriptures should not be considered sins anymore. Even so-called religious people are compromising truth for social acceptance! Consider the implications of thinking God's laws are out of date. It suggests that the Bible is not eternal. It implies that Christ died for no reason, and that God is not fair and just! What a slap in God’s face to say that homosexuality, fornication, lying, greed and covetousness are no longer sins but should be embraced by society! 1 Peter 1:25 says, “but the word of the Lord remains forever.” Hebrews 4:12-13 says the word of God is living and powerful. If the word of God is alive, powerful, and remains forever, then it is useful, needful, and just as true today as it ever was! If these texts are all true (and they are!), then we will be held accountable for the law found therein. Brethren, the world is full of evil. This is nothing new. We must be on our guard at all times, walking circumspectly to make sure we do not fall into the trap of viewing sin as the world does or being afraid to speak the truth about sin.
