It’s A Crying Shame!

Chuck Northrop

“Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.”
                                                             — Proverbs 14:34

Hold on to your hats, we are in for a ride! Admittedly I am amazed at the present rate of ungodliness that exists in some governing officials — past and present. It should be alarming to any honest and moral individual as to what is happening in the United States at the present time. There is no doubt that it has been working up to this. For the past few decades the influence of few have destroyed the morality of many. The few — the liberal media — is ravaging the nation. The fact is more are being influence by the sex scenes of the movie picture industry than by a “thus saith the Lord.” Sadly, those that claim to be Christians spend more time in front of the television set than in the “Book of Books.” Oftentimes, those that spend so much time being entertained by the liberal media are the very ones that are crying out and asking, “What is happening to our nation’s morals?” The following are a few suggestions as to what is happening to the moral fiber of our nation.

Parents Are Not Teaching Moral Values

So often, parents are embarrassed to speak to their children about moral values especially when it comes to the sexual area. So they are leaving it up to others usually the school system. Parents, let’s honestly evaluate what is happening in our schools today! It is alarming!

There is no doubt there are some teachers who are moral people and who care about morality. However, consider who instructs many of our teachers to be teachers. Often their moral basis is not what the Bible says, but what they were instructed at the state university which to say the least is a perversion of any moral code. Recently, we heard on the radio a man from a state university speaking about sex education. He said he had a sixteen year old and a twenty-two year old. He continued saying the only real alternative to what is being done in sex education is to teach abstinence. He went on to say that parents have been trying to do that for the past sixteen thousand years, and it hasn’t worked yet. Therefore, we must continue as we are.

This is a very popular liberal approach. So, what is wrong with what he said? First of all, the logic isn’t logical. Let’s apply the same logic to other areas of living especially in the realm of morality. There are some people who are going to steal no matter what is being taught. With the same logic, we ought not enact laws against thievery because it hasn’t worked yet. There are some people who are going to murder no matter what is being taught. With the same logic, we ought not enact laws against murder because it hasn’t worked yet. Second, who says it hasn’t worked? Just because not everyone has subjected themselves to moral teaching doesn’t mean it hasn’t worked. Instruction does influence some as does the law. I am confident that without instruction and without the law more would be guilty of immorality.

We cannot overlook those teachers who are moral or have at least some morality. However, often they feel their hands are tied behind their backs. To teach moral principles is often equated with teaching religion. I personally commend teachers who have the moral fiber and integrity to teach moral principles.

Having said this, we must always keep in mind that by God’s design, it is the parent’s responsibility to teach moral and religious principles — not the school system. Concerning the laws of God, Moses instructed, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Solomon taught by inspiration, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). And God taught through Paul in Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Entertainment Has Become a Priority

It is amazing how much our world has become entertainment oriented. So much of the time, education is no longer built upon hard work but upon having fun. The entertainment industry is a billion dollar industry. It seems like all that some folks want to do is to be entertained.

This has obviously crept into the church. Sermons have turned from a “thus saith the Lord” to musing stories with moral lessons (fables). But God’s instructions to those who teach and preach are still the same. Man says, “tell me stories to entertain me.” But God says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2Timothy 4:2). Man says, “I want a church where I can feel good.” But the Bible teaches that the comforter, the Holy Spirit, “will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit does this through the proclamation of the word. When entertainment becomes the priority doctrine must take a back seat.

Entertainment has become so important in some people’s lives that they are willing to sacrifice certain moral principles for it. The moral person who will go to the movie house knowing the movie is full of smut is a case in point. This person gives up his moral principles for a time to be entertained by the immoral minority — the liberal media industry.

Money Is More Important Than Moral Values

Most of us remember the words of the apostle Paul when by inspiration he taught, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” Probably fewer remember the remainder of this verse which states, “which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1Timothy 6:10). Not because of money but because of covetousness some have erred from the faith and are grief stricken. Earlier in the passage, the apostle exhorted Christians to be content with the necessities of life—“food and raiment” (1Timothy 6:8). Further our Lord warned us about covetousness. Luke 12:15 records, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

The corruption of the moral values of our nation are clearly evidence by covetousness. It is apparent that more people base their vote on financial issues than moral issues. Issues such as “gay rights” and abortion are swept under the carpet for the hope of prosperity. The lottery and gambling are flourishing while the Christian work ethic is being ignored. Everyone wants the easy bucks, and some are willing to do almost anything to gain them.

Life is approached by many with the philosophy “the man with the most toys in the end wins.” This philosophy results in moral corruption in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our cities, in our states, and in our nation. Further, it results in moral corruption within the church. Necessities and luxuries are confused. I would dare say that more hours of worship and Bible study are forsaken because of luxuries than because of necessities. God’s admonition in Hebrews 10:24-25 is still applicable! “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

A person willing to give up his moral values for entertainment or money — or any other reason — lacks integrity. Integrity is the firm adherence to a code of moral values. The Bible is the code of ethics or moral values for the Christian. The moral values could be anything ranging from sexual oriented values to lying and cheating. A person who has integrity is one who is honest all the time whether or not he is caught or can be caught. A person who has integrity is one who has the proper respect for the other sex and treats the other sex properly all the time and in every place. A person who has integrity is one who upholds his or her moral values no matter what monetary value may be gained by dismissing one’s moral value.

A change is in order for our nation! The change begins with individuals. It begins with you and me.