3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.
I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. Psalm 101:3

In 2016 we are inundated with the vile.

You cannot escape the horrific images and articles of people who want their “fifteen minutes of fame”; profane politicians, musicians, and actors; explicit television shows and movies; and the oversexualization of our children and society.

It’s one thing that we are bombarded with all of this junk, but it’s something entirely different that we approve of the vile. By not challenging the vile, we slowly embrace it.

We discovered that a long time ago after we returned from living overseas for two years. The things our friends and family were watching and laughing about on TV was appalling. The culture had changed that much in just two short years. That was 20 years ago. Imagine how much the culture has changed in just the past two years.

So, what are we going to do about it? It seems we are a crossroads in our society.

For too long the Church – you and I are the church in this instance – has not stood up against the vile. Oh, we’ve boycotted this and sent angry letters to Congress, and some may have even protested loudly.

But what about the simple things like turning off the TV when the vile is being promoted, walking away from someone telling off-color jokes, or asking people you know not to take the Lord’s name in vain at the moment they do it?

These are little things really, but they add up when others are watching, especially children.

I just cited three small examples of “pushing back” against the culture, but hundreds of other examples exist.

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” Alexander Pope