CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL VICES: THE CHRISTIAN VIEW

MEMORY VERSE: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).
 TEXT: Romans 1:18-32; Philippians 4:8, 9 The fall of Adam and Eve passed on sin and rebellion down the human race. Through the ages, mankind has elicited the evil traits in many different ways. Modern man lives in a world that invents “evil things”. Man himself has a sin-generating mind. He has the capacity to create sin, sinful pastimes or entertainment. Man’s craving for evil is insatiable. God saw the degeneration and debased character of man and was grieved in His heart. Question 1: How did God describe the spiritual condition of men before the flood? Since the flood, the heart of man has always been evil. God saw the whole imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart, and concluded that it was evil continually. The mind of the modern man is a sin-generative machine. Increase in technology meant increase in evil. The advent of the television, video, computer and the internet and other new inventions have the potential of conveying thoughts and impressing some vices on the mind of youths and adults. Question 2: What are the common contemporary vices that a Christian should guard against? 1.  MENACE OF GROWING SOCIAL EVILS
(Romans 1:28-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-6, 13; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; Ephesians 2:1-3) Social vices manifest in many ways: (a) Drug addiction, a practice found among teenagers and students in institutions of higher learning is a vice that ranks very high in contemporary times. Some freely say that the Scripture did not say anything about the use of drugs. Yes. But it did warn us against defiling or destroying the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). Hard drugs inflame the mind, sedate the heart and make the soul to feel ‘high’. It’s end is more dangerous and deadly than the beginning. It leaves its victim a wretch on the one hand and a danger to others, on the other.
(b) Cultism, closely allied with drug addiction is involvement in cults among students in secondary schools and institutions of higher learning. Cults are breeding grounds of all contemporary vices – wild life, thuggery, drug addiction and, at times, immorality. In recent times, dangerous weapons like live ammunition, machetes, spears and arrows are found amongst the members of cults in schools and society. This is a modern trend and it comes with every conceivable danger to life and property. (c) Betting and pools-staking is another contemporary vicious practice. The bottom line and motive of engaging in this practice is covetousness. An obsession to get-rich-quick or reap where you have not sown, avarice at its worst and, of course, laziness are the driving spirits behind this practice. (d) Examination malpractice is common amongst students who are desperate to excel without corresponding input of labour and diligence. In contemporary times, this has reached some level that frightens constituted examination bodies, school authorities and Christian parents. (e) Pornography. The evil sight that stirs up the base nature of man through pornography has a demonic hold on youths. It is sad that the society is given to pornography and all kinds of immorality and unclean practices of lesbianism and homosexuality. (f) Worldly music. Music has always been a spiritual and edifying medium. The Scripture exhorts us to admonish “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in [our] hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16b). But worldly music is corrupting and destructive. David’s songs and playing on the harp had great spiritual and soothing impact on Saul. Wild music which in the past was once exclusive has been brought to the churches. Most churches have lost the solemnity, inspiration, freshness, and refreshing that comes with Christian music in Bible days. (g) Chieftaincy titles: Believers should know that we cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of idols at the same time. Chieftaincy titles and the rituals that follow it must be avoided like a plague. Jesus showed His detachment from such earthly conferment (John 6:14, 15).
 Question 3: (a) What was Jesus’ reaction to the offer to make Him king? (b) What do we learn from this? Question 4: What should be the Christian’s view in relation to chieftaincy titles?
 Chieftaincy title, traditional honours and all recognition from people whose primary interest and focus is the devil are vicious. The believer must steer clear. (h) Finally, the use of slang and gutter language. The Bible says: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6).
 Question5: What danger does the use of worldly slangs pose to the Christian testimony? The Christian’s use of slangs sourced from brothels, drug addicts, thugs, musicians, “heroes” in boxing, sports and theatre makes a believer to be one of them, and this dwindles his potential to minister to them: “…Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fallinto the ditch?”, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Luke6:39; Matthew15:14).
 2.  THE CHRISTIAN’S STAND(Philippians 4:8,9; 1 Peter1:5-11; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33) The Bible has given enough guide to the Christian as to the position he must take on these issues. Question 6: How should a Christian assess any practice or conduct that looks like a source of temptation?
 The believer needs to ask some questions. First, does it glorify God? Would God behold it with joy? Can I do it in the presence of the Lord? Can I do it or talk about it without any shame or contradiction before the saints of God in the church of the living God? Second, does it edify the saints of God? Does it provoke the brethren to love and good works (Hebrews10:24). Is it worth emulating? Third, does it point the sinner to Calvary? Fourth, does it make you an example to believers? (1 Timothy 4:12). Fifth, does it draw me nearer to heaven? Does it enhance my preparedness for heaven? Does it make me rapture-ready? Sixth, will the practice, language or lifestyle earn me a smile of approval from my Lord and Saviour? Finally, is the issue under consideration true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report? If not, the Christian’s position is a firm ‘No!’ 3. THE WAY OUT(Romans 10:9; 1 John 1:9,10; Jeremiah 18:8; Luke 13:3; Hosea 6:1; 2 Chronicles 7:14) Victims of contemporary vices need a release. If we are to be free from the vices, essentially, we must avoid them like one would do a plague. Whoever has slipped into them should go back to the Lord in repentance and call on Him for restoration. Repentance is to be followed by a return to the Lord (Isaiah 55:7). To return implies one has felt some brokenness and contrition, and unto such the Lord is ready to save and deliver. “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Question 7: What is the way out of these contemporary social vices?