As I sit to write this, half time on Sunday is already a distant memory on social media. Today, all anyone cares about is the fact that Nancy Pelosi tore up President Trump’s State of the Union speech. Tomorrow, we’ll find something new to rage about.
However, something about Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez has been weighing on me for the past few days. I’m always a “slow to respond” type of person. I typically have thoughts, but I also know I’m capable of sinning in my response, so I am usually slow to speak.
In the past three days, I have seen the full spectrum of thoughts regarding the sexually charged performance. Thankfully, about 2 minutes into the show, my wife sounded the alarm and we quickly shut the TV off. We explained to our kids why we did and life moved on. We resumed the game once the players came back on the field.
In writing this, I understand that people who don’t follow Jesus will not agree with me. I’m ok with that…I honestly expect that. I am writing for my church, the people I pastor day in and day out. The people I walk with and shepherd through trials, victories, births and death.
HALF TIME MATTERS.
Friends, it matters what we give our “yes” to. When we say YES to allowing sexually graphic images through our eyes and into our minds, they eventually take up residence in our hearts.
We are deceived if we think that what is in our hearts won’t eventually bear fruit in our lives. And Jesus won’t share residency with sin.
Having been a pastor now for over twenty years, I have sat across the table from countless people who have had their lives torn apart by the destructive power of sexual sin.
I have counseled those hooked on pornography.
I have cried with the spouse who is in disbelief that they would ever be cheated on.
I have walked with the adulterer who never believed they would actually cross the line.
I have counseled sex addicts who want to be different, but find themselves in the arms of a prostitute over and over again.
And then there is the person who hasn’t been caught yet. They have somehow, wiggled their way out of the mess each time...but even they know, they’re about to get burned.
The list goes on and on…and every time, it’s heartbreaking to watch it all unfold. I grieve for the people I pastor because I want so much more for them.
As I talk to them though, each one talks about where things started. It all started in their thought life. It started with WHAT THEY SAID YES TO long before the affair.
Long before the chat room.
Long before the hooker.
HALF TIME MATTERS because it’s the FIRST DOOR that leads to the next door, which leads to the room you don’t want to leave, and eventually to a door you thought you’d never walk through and now you’re in a room you can’t leave.
I get it, there’s the naysayer who says “I’m good…that stuff doesn’t bother me.”
That’s a lie. I know I won’t convince you that it is…but it is.
Then there is the person who says: “That was harmless, if I looked that good at 43 and 50, I’d be shaking it like that too…y’all are making a big deal out of nothing.”
That rationale is careless and only shows that you haven’t actually thought through anything more than your first gut reaction.
Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Here’s the truth.
Many of us have become “OK” with… A HINT OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
We’ve become so desensitized, that A HINT of sexual immorality is easily dismissed and deemed inconsequential.
Sure, we will call out the BIG SINS.
We say…”how can a person get to a place where they are paying someone for sex?”
“How do they keep having multiple affairs?”
“Why would they throw their family away for that guy or that girl?”
Friends, this is a SANITIZED list.
Stop in and visit your local Sex Addicts Anonymous group on any given Saturday morning
You will hear sordid stories that are unmentionable here or in a church service.
THEY ALL STARTED WITH A HINT. Every person, every story…STARTED WITH A HINT.
Paul knew that the HINT of sexual immorality eventually led to death.
So he implored us, DON’T EVEN LET THERE BE A HINT.
Based on what I’ve read online about the half time show, I’d say it was WELL BEYOND A HINT.
So whether you turned it off on Sunday or you thought it was spectacular, there will be another choice in the near future.
Will you choose to just minimize it…dismiss it?
If you’re legitimately following Christ, there really isn’t a biblical response that would give you permission to keep watching.