The MTV Generation
8:17 PM Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I don’t think I have to ask if you have heard of MTV, do I? Everybody knows what MTV is and who they are. MTV plays such a vital part in this generation and in our culture. I can remember coming home and turning on MTV, even though I didn’t necessarily watch what was on the screen. You would just turn it on because that was the channel.
MTV is the channel to which our culture listens. It is the channel by which junior high, high school, and college students are influenced. But are there views and the messages they dispense, things that we should be listening to? Are their T.V. shows portraying lives consistent with biblical principles? So much of what is seen on pop-culture television presents a view of success and happiness that is tragically skewed.
Though there are a number of television shows that currently present a twisted view of reality, one that I have seen has provoked some thoughts: MTV’s “The Real World.” Some of my concerns are the lives that they portray as being “the real world.” What should the Christian’s thoughts be when we encounter situations like these coming across the T.V. screen? What’s more, how do these views hold up in light of what Scripture says?
I have noticed that on “The Real World,” the epitome of “fun” is getting drunk, engaging in pre-marital sex, living the fast life, then, waking up the next day, and doing the same thing over again. What does the Bible say about all of these issues? Though some might like to think that people in biblical days faced none of these issues, they are sadly mistaken. The city of Corinth was world renowned for its wickedness and sexually debauched culture.
In light of the way MTV portrays “the real world,” I believe Paul, being inspired by the Holy Spirit has written some words in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 that can help us tremendously when confronted with what our culture deems normal.
While pop-culture says we should live life carefree, and have all the fun we can now since we only have one life, God’s Word clearly says otherwise.
3 unbiblical views MTV portrays as being okay that clash with Scripture
1. Casual sex
For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3)
Notice Paul’s first words are, “This is the will of God.” These are extremely important words since many people ask the question, “What is God’s will for me?” So what is God’s will? Paul says, “your sanctification.” Sanctification means being set apart from sin to a life of holiness. In the context of these verses it means being set apart from sexual immorality. So while the world says it is okay to have sex before you are married, God says He wants us set apart from sexual sin.
2. Lack of self-control
That each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thess. 4:4)
Next, Paul says we should know how to possess our own vessel. All that means is that we should know how to control our own body. God gave us this power when we were saved, so for the believer this is one of the fruit’s of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
3. Lust
Not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God (1 Thess. 4:5)
Love and lust are something our world confuses big time. You might have heard it said before that “love is a verb,” and that is true. Love is an action. Love doesn’t “say” something, love “does” something. Lust doesn’t do this. Lust takes and never gives. Lust is self-seeking. Paul says Christians should not live like “the Gentiles who do not know God.” The word “Gentile” is used here to represent unbelievers (i.e. “those who do not know God).
The implications of this behavior
And that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. (1 Thess. 4:6)
This verse discusses the spiritual implications involved in sexual sin. Notice the text says, “The Lord is the avenger.” This means God will judge all those who engage in such behavior. Hebrews 13:4 says- Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Believers should be different
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification (1 Thess. 4:7)
When Paul uses the words “called us” it refers to God’s effectual call, which always results in salvation. God has not saved us for the purpose of impurity, but “in sanctification.” At salvation God has justified us, which means He has declared us righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account. Since Christ has justified us, He will sanctify us. Sanctification is the process by which God makes us like His Son.
We see from just a cursory reading of these verses that what the Bible teaches flies in the face of what this world teaches. While this show portrays fun as doing things that the Lord clearly condemns, many are led to believe that this will fill the void in their life. Sadly, many are headed down this road. If this happens to be where you find yourself, or someone you know at this time, know you will not find happiness by indulging in sin. God has created a void in all of our hearts that only He can fill. The sad thing is that many attempt to fill a spiritual void with physical pleasure.
The Body of Christ has the antidote for the world’s sickness. Let us live the lives God has called us to live. Let us remain unswervingly loyal to Christ in this dark world. Remember, we are the light of world, but “if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (Matt. 6:23)
MTV is the channel to which our culture listens. It is the channel by which junior high, high school, and college students are influenced. But are there views and the messages they dispense, things that we should be listening to? Are their T.V. shows portraying lives consistent with biblical principles? So much of what is seen on pop-culture television presents a view of success and happiness that is tragically skewed.
Though there are a number of television shows that currently present a twisted view of reality, one that I have seen has provoked some thoughts: MTV’s “The Real World.” Some of my concerns are the lives that they portray as being “the real world.” What should the Christian’s thoughts be when we encounter situations like these coming across the T.V. screen? What’s more, how do these views hold up in light of what Scripture says?
I have noticed that on “The Real World,” the epitome of “fun” is getting drunk, engaging in pre-marital sex, living the fast life, then, waking up the next day, and doing the same thing over again. What does the Bible say about all of these issues? Though some might like to think that people in biblical days faced none of these issues, they are sadly mistaken. The city of Corinth was world renowned for its wickedness and sexually debauched culture.
In light of the way MTV portrays “the real world,” I believe Paul, being inspired by the Holy Spirit has written some words in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 that can help us tremendously when confronted with what our culture deems normal.
While pop-culture says we should live life carefree, and have all the fun we can now since we only have one life, God’s Word clearly says otherwise.
3 unbiblical views MTV portrays as being okay that clash with Scripture
1. Casual sex
For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3)
Notice Paul’s first words are, “This is the will of God.” These are extremely important words since many people ask the question, “What is God’s will for me?” So what is God’s will? Paul says, “your sanctification.” Sanctification means being set apart from sin to a life of holiness. In the context of these verses it means being set apart from sexual immorality. So while the world says it is okay to have sex before you are married, God says He wants us set apart from sexual sin.
2. Lack of self-control
That each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thess. 4:4)
Next, Paul says we should know how to possess our own vessel. All that means is that we should know how to control our own body. God gave us this power when we were saved, so for the believer this is one of the fruit’s of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
3. Lust
Not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God (1 Thess. 4:5)
Love and lust are something our world confuses big time. You might have heard it said before that “love is a verb,” and that is true. Love is an action. Love doesn’t “say” something, love “does” something. Lust doesn’t do this. Lust takes and never gives. Lust is self-seeking. Paul says Christians should not live like “the Gentiles who do not know God.” The word “Gentile” is used here to represent unbelievers (i.e. “those who do not know God).
The implications of this behavior
And that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. (1 Thess. 4:6)
This verse discusses the spiritual implications involved in sexual sin. Notice the text says, “The Lord is the avenger.” This means God will judge all those who engage in such behavior. Hebrews 13:4 says- Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Believers should be different
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification (1 Thess. 4:7)
When Paul uses the words “called us” it refers to God’s effectual call, which always results in salvation. God has not saved us for the purpose of impurity, but “in sanctification.” At salvation God has justified us, which means He has declared us righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account. Since Christ has justified us, He will sanctify us. Sanctification is the process by which God makes us like His Son.
We see from just a cursory reading of these verses that what the Bible teaches flies in the face of what this world teaches. While this show portrays fun as doing things that the Lord clearly condemns, many are led to believe that this will fill the void in their life. Sadly, many are headed down this road. If this happens to be where you find yourself, or someone you know at this time, know you will not find happiness by indulging in sin. God has created a void in all of our hearts that only He can fill. The sad thing is that many attempt to fill a spiritual void with physical pleasure.
The Body of Christ has the antidote for the world’s sickness. Let us live the lives God has called us to live. Let us remain unswervingly loyal to Christ in this dark world. Remember, we are the light of world, but “if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (Matt. 6:23)
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