[458 words]
In this wicked age we may be tempted to think that people no longer care or even notice immorality. Even in evil times, however, there is usually enough of a sense of decency in a community for people to recognize a shameful act.
The period of the judges was a corrupt and dangerous time in Israel. Ruth lived in those days. When she went to glean in the field of Boaz, he told the young men not to disrespect her in any way (Ruth 2:9, 15). He didn’t want them to take advantage of her. Later he told Ruth that the whole city knew that she was a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11). How could they have known this if they were so depraved they didn’t know right from wrong? When Ruth came to the threshing floor at night to talk with Boaz, he was concerned that people might get the wrong idea and told her to leave before daylight (Ruth 3:14). He cared about his reputation and her reputation. Why would he have been this careful unless he knew that there were moral expectations even though the times were perverse?
It is hard to imagine a city more vile than Corinth, and yet even the Gentile community would not approve of what the church at Corinth allowed one of their members to do (1 Cor. 5:1). David’s enemies were vile people, but even they knew what he did with Bathsheba was wrong and they used his sin as an opportunity to speak evil of the Lord and His people (2 Sam. 12:14). Our land is full of vice, but when a preacher or a deacon is caught in adultery people are outraged. They may not live a moral life themselves, but they expect a good life from those who claim to live it. This may not be fair. It is, however, a fact. Solomon said “Whosoever committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away” (Prov. 6:32-33).
Don’t lower your Christian standards just because people around you seem to have none. Your example does matter. People do notice. They may not say anything to you, but they are watching. Don’t let their just expectations down. Your righteous life may stop them from criticizing the church and lead them to glorify God (1 Pet. 2:12). Use the purest language you can speak around others. Avoid anything that might hinder your influence as a Christian. If you find yourself thinking, “People don’t care anymore, so what difference can I make?” then dismiss that thought. Your example is important. Use it wisely.
Kerry Duke
West End church of Christ
Livingston, TN