The image we project can have a huge affect on our everyday lives. Ever go to a job interview in jeans with your teeth not brushed or hair uncombed? Of course not! That would be absurd if we had any hopes of snagging the job. We would want our perspective boss to see us as confident, well groomed and someone who fit their company image. We would make sure we were the whole package—checking everything twice before we left the house.
But it wouldn’t stop there. No, once we were hired, we would
continue to work at projecting the right image, especially in a corporate
setting where there was room to advance. Truth is many of us would work on
whatever was necessary to succeed. We would expand our vocabulary; make sure to
keep up with any new trends that would help us shine, and give ourselves a nice
allowance for hair, makeup, nails and clothing. If need be, we would attend
workshops, or night classes—to give us that little extra edge. And there is
nothing wrong with striving to be better.
But I do wonder how come we may not work as hard at being
the “Image”
of Christ?
Paul tells us, “The older women are to teach (or instruct)
the younger women.” And as far as the progression of life, that’s the way it’s
been like forever. Some of our favorite dishes we cook come from recipes handed
down for generations and we were taught at a young age how to make them. The
old school way was hands on teaching and passing of the torch. Someone showed
us how to sew, knit, crochet, clean house, wash clothes, iron, wash dishes,
speak properly, and have manners and to read and write. But in today’s world
you can go on Youtube and find videos on how to do just about anything.
But in the Kingdom of God we still need to be taught by
example.
I’m getting ready to step on some toes, and that’s okay.
There are times we need our toes stepped on, if only to make us stop and think
for a minute. And that’s my purpose today, not to come off as judgmental or all
knowing, but to make us stop and think.
Let’s talk
about some of the stuff we are abscessed with on television—beginning with the
show Scandal. This is a show about
adultery and all types of sexual exploits. When I get on Facebook Friday
morning my feed is full of remarks from the night before—and many are from
daughters of the King. How can we be so wrapped up in such debauchery and
everything that goes against what the Bible instructs? Why are we rooting for
an adulterer to win in life? And get very defensive when people talk about the
show in a negative manner. I have a very serious question to ask, “Can you envision
yourself sitting with Jesus on your sofa with popcorn and a beverage watching
Scandal?” During the hot and sultry sex scenes would you look at Him and say,
“Oh yeah Jesus, now that is hot!” Would you make some of your Facebook comments
directly to Him? Sisters, this is something to really think about.
And for those
of us who watch the soaps, or the supposedly real housewives of whatever state
you choose—can you see yourselves hanging out with Jesus watching these shows? Shows
where women are fighting, disrespecting their husbands and cussing each other—a
constant barrage of people (heterosexual and homosexual) romping in the bed.
Would you invite Him over to watch them with you?
I hope your answers were, “No!” But the truth is—He is there
in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Paul warns that just because we can do a thing—doesn’t mean
it is profitable for us or others. We don’t want to be a stumbling block to
anyone. I drink a glass of red wine everyday with my supper. But when I go out
with people I don’t know, I am mindful not to drink. It’s not because I’m a
hypocrite—I’m just concerned for my brothers or sisters.
Are the women in these shows the type of women we want our
daughters or granddaughters to be? Is it our hearts desire they have such low
self-esteem they would be on a show such as the Bachelor? Would we really want
the President of the United States, to be an adulterer, carrying on a lewd and
lascivious affair when he should be running the country and true to his wife?
So many of our young women are struggling to live a holy
life and abstain from sex outside of marriage, but feeding on shows such as
these only hinders them in having a renewed mind. But they are not alone
because many of our married sisters are feeding on this stuff too. These types
of shows are very harmful in the fact that we begin to cheer on the wrong doer
wanting her or him to win, and most often the seeds that seep into our hearts
lead to discontentment for wives with their lives and husbands.
I know firsthand what it is like to struggle to live as God
has commanded us. I was one who came to the Lord filthy with the ways of the
world all over me. I know the challenges of turning away from sin and also the
blessing of godly women to imitate and what they were doing versus not doing.
We must be extremely careful about sending double messages,
because the babies in the Kingdom are going to follow and imitate us. And how
can we help guide and instruct them if we ourselves are partakers of things
that can so easy entangle them and us in sin?
If we expect to help the younger women follow Christ, we
must be sure we look like Him.
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