Actions and Words Have Consequences

Lesson Learned? This week has seen the outrage and furor over the racial and insensitive comments by Don Imus, a radio talk show host who has been dubbed America’s first shock jock. I have only heard the Imus in the Morning show two or three times. Those were enough to settle in my mind that the radio station needs to be changed when Don Imus is broadcasting.

It seems that our culture has adopted an “anything goes” attitude toward radio and TV. Even with Imus’ firing from both his TV and radio shows, I have to question whether the firing was truly because he said something wrong or was simply a cave-in to the pressures brought to bear by special interest groups. Whatever the case, I am glad that Imus’ comments had consequences. They should have. His comments over the last several years needed to be reined in.

In Ephesians 5:3,4 the apostle Paul said, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” Some things just should not be said. Paul teaches that some things “are not fitting.” Our “free speech” society needs to learn this Biblical lesson.

Paul also said in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Imus and many others fill the airwaves with corrupt words that do not edify or impart grace to the listeners. Perhaps his firing will cause some to think twice before speaking.

Even if Don Imus’ comments had not resulted in the outrage and furor, he was still guilty of sin and in need of repentance. If no one had taken him to task over the comment, he will still be accountable for those words. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

Lessons Not Learned. This week saw two other events that suggest that clear lessons flew over the heads of the media and the public.

Duke Lacrosse Players. To the delight of nearly everyone commenting, the three Duke Lacrosse players had all charges against them dropped. I’m not in favor of false charges being pursued against anyone. Justice must be served. For that reason I, too, am glad the charges did not stand. These players were described by one talk-show host as upstanding and outstanding young men who should serve as role models for others their age. Really?

An important lesson seems to have been lost in all the talk about the accuser’s false charges. These young men would never have made the national news had it not been for the fact that they were engaged in a drunken party to which they had invited two strippers. Young people need to learn that lesson that actions have consequences. They invited the accuser to their party for immoral pleasure.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” In Galatians 5:19 he said that lasciviousness (the participation in watching or performing sexually suggestive movements) and drunkenness are works of the flesh. In verse 21 he said, “that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

In all the rejoicing over the dropped charges, I hope those boys parents haven’t forgotten to take them by the ear, stick their noses in a Bible and “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” according to Ephesians 6:4.

Their actions have eternal consequences that did not go away because the State attorneys general dropped the charges. They are in need of repentance.

Larry Birkhead. This week we also saw Larry Birkhead raising his arms high in a V-shape for victory upon the announcement that DNA tests proved that he is the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s illegitimate child. The crowd that gathered around him cheered. Where is the shame that such an act should bring upon him? Why were so many other men willing to publicly and shamelessly state that they might be the father of the child?

The bottom line is that Larry Birkhead, Anna Nicole Smith, and the others who thought they had a shot at being the child’s father are guilty of fornication. Based solely upon the reports of her lifestyle, the nature of her death and the illegitimacy of her baby girl, Anna Nicole probably lost her soul to Satan’s hell. The same fate awaits these men if they are unrepentant. Read Galatians 5:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 for the divine thoughts on their actions.

For several to publicly claim to be the father of an illegitimate child, to give a victory sign at the announcement of the DNA results, and for the crowd to cheer at the announcement is a sad commentary on the total lack of spiritual values in our culture.

Conclusion. For many it doesn’t appear that spiritual lessons are being learned from these events. Rather, the world is looking on in pleasure and approval. After listing the many sins that the world of his day had pursued, including sexual immorality, Paul said, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of (have pleasure in – KJV) those who practice them.” Romans 1:32.

To be pleasing to God we cannot be either those who practice such things or those who look upon them with pleasure or approval. May it only be said of us, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (emphasis mine - Bill) 1 Corinthians 6:11.