Originally published Oct. 26, 2010. Edited.
Psalm 101:3-7 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
This passage struck me as a good reason for Christians to stay out of politics, Hollywood, Nashville (and the secular music industry in general), and other ungodly professions or areas of life. If you go down through the verses above and think about the things that go on in politics and Hollywood, the entertainment industry, etc., you can see how difficult and even impossible it would be for a Christian to work among and with these people.
How would it be possible to avoid seeing wicked things in Hollywood, for example? In fact, that’s what Hollywood (and Bollywood) are largely about – making wicked things for people to look at. And, being involved with those kinds of people would make it very difficult to avoid contact with it.
The gaming world is another area that is full of ungodly and wicked things. My own husband, as a programmer, has knowledge of how difficult it is for a Christian to find a place in the gaming world and to still live by the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). Indeed, we might say it is impossible outside of having one's own private company. And, in addition to this, the whole world of artificial intelligence (AI), is highly suspect as much of it tends to lend itself to wicked uses, if not in its original intent, then down the road a bit when it is utilized for some wicked end.
Those with high looks and proud hearts are very common in Hollywood, politics, Nashville/the secular music industry, etc. It kind of goes with the territory. If you don’t think rather highly of yourself you probably won’t make it, especially in politics. (In fact, I might be so bold as to say that it’s impossible to make it in modern politics if you don’t think a lot of yourself and your abilities.)
Those who walk in a perfect way are pretty scarce in these areas as well. And, if one won’t hang around with liars, politics is absolutely out. Yes, I know that God is true and every man is a liar (Rom. 3:4) but politicians excel at it. It is undoubtedly a necessary ability to “make it” in that profession more than most. And just to be clear, it doesn't seem to matter how conservative or "honorable" the person is, sooner or later they will have to live to keep their position, or they will have to leave it.
Although David was not always perfect in acting out these things, it was the desire of his heart. I cannot imagine him condoning politics, Hollywood, Nashville, Bollywood, etc. in our day as a place for a Christian to find a profession or make a living. I have to admit that I always kind of wonder about Christians who say they want a career or life work in one of those areas. I have known of some who tried and couldn’t do it with a clear conscience, or were forced out because they wouldn’t run to the same excess of riot (1 Peter 4:3-4). In some political cases I suspect they just couldn’t “get the votes” because they didn’t promote themselves enough – they weren’t proud. A few actors who are professing Christians appear to manage it, but sadly it seems to be only that - an appearance. Most of the time you will find they ended up in some film or T.V. show which they really had no business being part of as a Christian. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.)
To be the friend of sinners in the way that the Lord Jesus was when He lived on this earth is one thing, but to associate and dwell among these sort of people or in these professions is something else altogether. It reminds me of Lot who “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12) and ended up living among them and finally in a terrible mess.
Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
1 Peter 4:1-4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
It seems like it would be very hard to make it in Hollywood, politics, etc. and not do the will of the Gentiles. It would be hard, if not impossible, to do the will of God while living and working in those fields.
Politics is full of wicked people, but it requires those who are involved in it to treat these people with respect and to even “work deals” with them at times in order to get legislation passed. This is not to say that it is in every case impossible, since Daniel worked and lived in Babylon as part of the government and was connected to a lot of nasty people in that job. But, he was a captive at the time and didn't have much choice, and he very nearly died for his faithfulness to God (as did he three friends).
Those with high looks and proud hearts are very common in Hollywood, politics, Nashville/the secular music industry, etc. It kind of goes with the territory. If you don’t think rather highly of yourself you probably won’t make it, especially in politics. (In fact, I might be so bold as to say that it’s impossible to make it in modern politics if you don’t think a lot of yourself and your abilities.)
Those who walk in a perfect way are pretty scarce in these areas as well. And, if one won’t hang around with liars, politics is absolutely out. Yes, I know that God is true and every man is a liar (Rom. 3:4) but politicians excel at it. It is undoubtedly a necessary ability to “make it” in that profession more than most. And just to be clear, it doesn't seem to matter how conservative or "honorable" the person is, sooner or later they will have to live to keep their position, or they will have to leave it.
Although David was not always perfect in acting out these things, it was the desire of his heart. I cannot imagine him condoning politics, Hollywood, Nashville, Bollywood, etc. in our day as a place for a Christian to find a profession or make a living. I have to admit that I always kind of wonder about Christians who say they want a career or life work in one of those areas. I have known of some who tried and couldn’t do it with a clear conscience, or were forced out because they wouldn’t run to the same excess of riot (1 Peter 4:3-4). In some political cases I suspect they just couldn’t “get the votes” because they didn’t promote themselves enough – they weren’t proud. A few actors who are professing Christians appear to manage it, but sadly it seems to be only that - an appearance. Most of the time you will find they ended up in some film or T.V. show which they really had no business being part of as a Christian. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.)
To be the friend of sinners in the way that the Lord Jesus was when He lived on this earth is one thing, but to associate and dwell among these sort of people or in these professions is something else altogether. It reminds me of Lot who “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12) and ended up living among them and finally in a terrible mess.
Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
1 Peter 4:1-4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
It seems like it would be very hard to make it in Hollywood, politics, etc. and not do the will of the Gentiles. It would be hard, if not impossible, to do the will of God while living and working in those fields.
It may seem odd that I would address this here, but truly there are too many Christians who believe that it is their job to "win the war on culture" (a fake battle meant to distract from the real warfare - the spiritual one). Because of this thinking and those who are pushing it, there are some who think it is great to get their kids involved in politics early and encourage them in that direction. I can't speak for other countries, but in the U.S. we also have an element of trying to compete with or be involved with Hollywood and the entertainment world in general which leads people into things that cannot be glorifying to God.
It's something to think about, especially if you are in a position to influence someone looking in any of those directions.
Thank you for the last paragraph. I was skimming through this article, thinking to myself, "Does this matter? The people involved won't be convinced otherwise, and those of us who see the issues already know this stuff."
ReplyDeleteBut, you are right. Pointing out the problems with Christians getting involved in these industries may keep some parents from pushing their children in a bad direction. Those who haven't headed down that path can be saved from the pit fall.
You're welcome. I probably should add some examples that I am aware of. I know a man who, when he was young, thought he could have a career in Hollywood in filming, but he quickly realized that wasn't going to work for a Christian. I have also had opportunity to see people involved with politics and seen how it can draw them away from the things that really matter. I've also noted that those in politics who are not willing to cut the deals with the wicked and compromise can't make it to the "big time" levels. It isn't perhaps as pressing as some things, but it's definitely something that I've run across sometimes, especially here in Texas.
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