“Nor Did They Know How To Blush”
By Meghan Prescott

      Part I

      The Lord spoke through the Prophet Jeremiah, saying:

      'Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush.' (Jer. 5:15)

      Earlier in chapter four verse twenty-two, the Lord said:

      'For my people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children,
      and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil,
      but to do good they have no knowledge'.

      This is echoed in the book of Romans when Paul exhorts the Believers there, saying:

      'For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil.'

       Something that has struck me in the past year more than ever is how many things that were once considered wrong, evil, dangerous to one's Spiritual health and sinful, have now gained 'neutral' status within the realms of western 'Christianity'. How did this happen? Why have so many in the Church allowed the standards of the world to dictate their lifestyles rather than the Word of God? Why have so many Believers stopped asking God for His opinion on their choices? When did so many churches stop being only in the world, and instead have become of the world? So many no longer blush at immorality. So many have become desensitized to what God calls evil, and have called it good. But there are consequences for taking sin lightly. We may not see those consequences even in this lifetime, but we can 'be sure your sin will find you out.' (Num. 32:23)

      I believe one of the main sources of desensitization has been the secular media that we now have so readily available to us. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, there are forms of the media available to us for our entertainment, amusement, information and enjoyment. This has led to a sort of media 'gluttony' for many people. Many people simply cannot 'live' without having some form of media in the background. For most Christians this background media is not even from a Christian source. Many others fill virtually all of their time apart from work, school, and sleep pursuing some form of entertainment via secular media. So many have filled their hearts and minds with the ways of the world and have become desensitized to the immoral and flesh-fulfilling ways of this sin-sick world.

      Now, there is nothing innately wrong with a television, a VCR, a stereo, a movie screen, a computer or a pile of paper that makes up a magazine or a book. All of these things can be used to glorify God and to edify the Believer. A problem with these things is that many have allowed them to become a controlling factor in their lives. These elements have been misused and many have become ruled by them. Many not only listen to and watch what the world has to say about things, but take it a step further imitating what they see and hear. The proof is in their lifestyles and by the low standards many have. The Russian Philosopher, Fydor Dostoyevsky once said:

      'First art would imitate life, then life would imitate art; then life would draw
      It's very reason for existence from the arts.'

      How true this statement has become in our society today, and how frightening that it is also coming true within the Church. So many church members look to the world to set the standards for the choices they make in life-and much of this comes from the media. Trends are set by the television, movie and music industries. As an example, just look at the way many people dress and you can often tell what kind of music they listen to based on their style of clothing. The arts set many of the standards for our surrounding culture and, sadly, many in the church have followed right along with this.

      An interesting note is that there are some countries that have recently come out of communism and have fought vehemently to keep western television and music out of their countries. Even their secular governments can see the way these mediums are breeding ground for immorality, rebellion and 'base' living, and they want no part in it. Yet because the west has been slowly conditioned to accept these things as 'normal' many allow them into their hearts and homes, and they will certainly reap what they sow. Maybe it's time to take a look at our hearts and to ask ourselves some questions. Who controls the standards we set for our lives? Do we look to the Word of God, and take each area of our lives to Him in prayer? Or do we simply follow the crowd and make our choices based on what our surrounding culture, or surrounding church friends, deems 'best'?

       The Lord Jesus says that no man can serve two masters. Perhaps it would be beneficial here to do a little reality check. Ask yourself how much time you have spent in the last week pursuing entertainment through the media or other recreation. Then ask yourself how much time you have spent in the pursuit of God through private worship, private prayer, private Bible study, reading and listening to great Bible teachers, and true fellowship with fellow Believers. Now, who is your Master? What and whom are the priorities of your life? Do you serve your flesh and the world? Or do you serve the Creator of this world and the Redeemer of your Soul?

      Part II

      'Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
      do all to the glory of God.'
      (1 Corinthians 10:31)

      'For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil.'
      (Romans 16:19)

      I wonder how often do Christians take this verse from I Corinthians into account when considering their activities, actions, reactions, and the choices they make for their lifestyle throughout each day? Do they truly attempt to, 'do all to the glory of God'? Does this concept even enter most Christian's frame of reference when making choices? If we are choosing to do all to the glory of God, can we confidently sit before a television screen and watch while people who are pretending to be married (they are actors, remember) enter into the most intimate part of a human relationship, created to be only witnessed by God and a man and his wife? What about nudity, partial or not? Or what about taking the Lord's name in vain and other coarse, vulgar, profane language? What about men and women committing acts of senseless violence or murder? What about foolishness (which the Bible calls sin)? What about disrespect, rebellion, and disobedience to parents and other authority? Do we allow these things which God calls sin to entertain us? Do these things glorify God and edify us Spiritually? Obviously they do not. So, why do so many excuse these things simply because they are happening in a 'make-believe' place? How can Christians sit idly by and allow things that God calls sin-transgression against God's law (for which billions will suffer in everlasting fire)-to entertain and amuse their flesh.

      Much of the music available to us is not exempt from this with its sensual, suggestive, immoral, vulgar, and fleshly lyrics and music. Most Christians don't see anything wrong with listening to secular music, but may I ask you personally? Have you forgotten how to blush? Oh, there may be shame and embarrassment the first few times someone willingly listens or watches something that they know is out of bounds, but over the years many have allowed a steady stream of worldly, licentious, wicked behaviour into their very hearts and homes. Many Christians seem to have forgotten that it is the music, movie and television producers who put the 'ratings' on their products-not the Church. What was only available in the back rooms of seedy shops a few years ago is now rated R, and what was rated R only a few years back is now PG-13. It is the unregenerate, lost, godless people of the world who set the standards for the media we ingest, and they are not in the business of glorifying God. Through this process many have become desensitized and allow what God calls evil and sinful to become commonplace in their lives. In that they have used theirliberty as an occasion to the flesh, believed a lie and have forgotten the Truth. This grieves the heart of God.

      Part III

      'Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times
      some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,
      and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
      conscience seared with a hot iron.'
      (I Timothy 4:1&2)

      The media is full of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. What is the bottom line of the secular media's doctrine? 'If it feels good, do it'! 'The end justifies the means'.
      'There are no absolutes'. These three beliefs rule our society and the media that society produces. They are fundamentally opposed to the nature of God, and most people know that in their minds. Yet how much of that secular way of thinking has made it into the lives of professing Christians? After many years of repeated and intentional exposure to these doctrines, one's conscience does indeed become seared. It becomes closed to the things of God. At that point absolute standards and denial of flesh and self seem like impossible standards; holiness and purity become optional lifestyle choices, and one becomes so dull of hearing to the voice of the Lord so that they no longer hear Him calling them away from the world and its ways. You see, the longer someone ignores God's voice, the quieter it becomes-not because He has stopped talking, but because they have stopped listening. The more often one commits sin, or is exposed to it, the less conscious they are of the Spirit of God telling us to flee!

      If you have read this far I would hope that you have a sincere desire to take these matters to a serious level and to examine yourself before God. Perhaps you have realized that there are some things in your life that need to be cleaned out and replaced with Spiritual things. Maybe you are feeling guilty and are angry with the writer for suggesting the things above. It could be that you realize that you have no hunger for the things of God, and that what you do participate in as 'Spiritual exercise' is simply formality. We all need to examine our conscience and hearts before God: Ask Him to show us where we have allowed ourselves to become defiled, and repent of those things He reveals to us. Then we need to cry out in honesty and sincerity of heart like the psalmist David who said,

      'Search me Oh God and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.'
      (Psalm 139:23-24)

      Part IV

      'But He gives a greater grace. Wherefore He says,
      'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.'
      James 4:6

      'And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that
      ye always, having all sufficiency, in all things,
      may abound to every good work'
      II Corinthians 9:8

      'Grace: The dynamic quality of the life of God within me
      That gives me the desire and power to live
      in harmony with God and His Word.'
      Life Action Ministries

      God's grace is greater than any of our sin! That is great news. But how do we get a hold of this grace? The grace mentioned in the above verses goes even beyond the saving grace of God and reach into our daily lives. It is available to us every time we humble ourselves before God, admit that we need Him, and surrender our wills to Him. So how does this apply to what we've been talking about in this discourse? Well, I would hope that if you have read this far and that God is speaking to your heart, that you have a desire to repent of and forsake the areas of your life that have caused you to be stunted in your Spiritual growth. I would hope that you have a desire to be resensitized, to have your conscience tender and pure, and to have your walk with God revived. This is where God's grace comes in.

      It's pretty easy to be under conviction and make a decision to surrender your live to Christ and tell yourself that you're going to 'give up' all those things that are hindering your walk with God. The difficulty comes in actually applying these new convictions and walking in daily obedience. Once we have confessed our sin to God, have been forgiven and have determined to walk in righteousness, holiness, and obedience, we enter the battleground of our sprit against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Initial surrender to God, though crucial, will not be sufficient for daily victory. There are a number of things that will help us, though, and it begins with grace. In reality, we need God's grace for everything. We need grace to respond in a Christ like manner to everything in our lives. I'll try to narrow it down to make particular application to what we've been discussing here. Let's say that you've been convicted that you have been listening to music that is not Christ honouring and you listen to music all the time. What is your first instinct when you get into your car? Is it to turn on the radio? This is when we need God's grace. The temptation will be there to tune into our favourite station, so what do we do? This is where the humbling ourselves part comes in. We humble ourselves by agreeing with God that our desire to listen to that station is wrong, and we ask Him for the strength to do what is glorifying to Him. If we are being genuine with God, He will give us the strength and desire to do His will. At first, we might need to do this every 30 seconds, but there are ways to help change our 'first instincts' too. Two things that we can do are replacement and accountability.

      Firstly, replace the wrong music with Christ-honouring music, teaching tapes, the Bible on tape, or leave it off altogether and start praying outloud while you drive,(With all the cell phone gadgets out there today no-one will look twice at you when it looks like you're having a conversation with yourself, and it's kind of difficult to have impatience with other drivers when you're speaking with the Lord, so you've been victorious in multiple areas here)! Secondly, get accountable. Find someone who understands your new- found convictions and ask them to help you keep going strong in them. Remember, you can't do it on your own. That's what pride is. Pride is doing what I want to do, when I want to do it without thinking of God or others. God resists the proud. God's grace is readily available to you the moment you choose to humble yourself before Him, acknowledge your need of Him, and accept His help, and He has given us the Body of Christ to be able to help one another grow in grace, obedience and truth.

      Part V

      'I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God
      that you offer yourselves, a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.'
      Romans 12:1-2

      "...walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
      1 Thess. 2:12

      So, what is the daily practical application for everything that has been discussed above? No person is going to be stronger than his or her personal devotional life. It is very likely that if we are indulging ourselves in worldly entertainment, our devotional life is sporadic, disjointed, unfocused, inconsistent and shallow. You've heard it a million times, so have I, but you have got to be in the Word of God and prayer daily. It's amazing how much more time you have once you cut out the temporal, useless activities of your life. It might be a sacrifice to begin the discipline of daily private time with the Lord. You may have to sacrifice sleep or time, but nothing is more important than this foundational part of our relationship with God. In your prayer times (I strongly urge you to spend at least some of your daily prayer in the morning before the day has overtaken you) it is important to surrender yourself to God each day, choosing to die to self, take up your cross, and giving God the areas of your life you may have a particular struggle with, and ask the Lord to give you particular sensitivity when temptation draws near, that you may heed the warning signs and flee from danger.

      When we spend time in prayer in the morning, it sharpens our discernment, sensitivity, and conscience throughout the day, making us more aware of our surroundings both in terms of being sensitive to the dangers to our spirit and the blessings for the same. This initial time with the Lord in the morning also lends itself to more communication with the Lord throughout the day-and this is what fellowship with Christ looks like. So, daily, focused, determined, fervent time spent with the Lord is the first thing. Accompanying this we need to 'clean house' so to speak. Get rid of the things that are keeping you from a deeper life with Christ. If it is music, videos or books and magazines, chuck them, burn them, and do what you must but be drastic in your actions to remove these things from your life! Cut off the cable or satellite. Stop hanging around with the people who bring you down. Get rid of the immodest clothing in your wardrobe. Get accountable with a stronger Believer. No one said it would be easy, but there is no greater joy than to know we are walking with the Saviour's approval! The enemy, your flesh, the world-even some friends or family members will do everything they can to stop this radical behaviour, but again this is where God's grace can be shown the strongest.

       Next, we need to cultivate a constant awareness of God. This could be better termed 'the fear of the Lord'. We must live in the constant awareness that we are in the presence of a just and holy God who sees everything we do, every thought, every motive, every desire, every word, and these are being weighed and judged by Him. As we do this, and as we communicate with the Lord consistently throughout our day, we are effectively practicing the presence of God. The reality of eternity then begins to drown out the voice of the temporal as our hearts and minds begin to see life through eternity coloured lenses. Our choices then begin to reflect their impact on eternity rather than the immediate satisfaction of our flesh or the approval of the world around us.

      It may seem like we're a bit off track here considering the way this discussion started, but we really are not. The title 'Nor Did They Know How to Blush,' reflects the heart condition of much of the so-called church of our age-many professing Christians who have left their first love, forsaken their bridegroom and have gone a-whoring after other gods with no shame for their immoral ways; a people who have forgotten that heaven and hell are real and that their lives here have real implications on those places; a people who have allowed self and pleasure to sit upon the throne of their hearts, and a people whom God desires to return to Him with their whole heart, soul, strength and mind. We must have revival or we will have judgement. Judgement begins at the house of the Lord. But if we are willing to humble ourselves and pray, seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways, God is willing to revive us. It is time for the Church to remember how to blush and live in the purity and holiness she was called to in Christ. Only then we can enter into the joy and peace we have been promised. God is calling His people out to be separate, peculiar, holy, blameless, pure, righteous, full of fruit and full of the Spirit. He will never force anyone into those qualities, but He will gladly do the refining work in our lives to help us become more like the Lord Jesus if we ask Him to. We are not our own, and we have been bought with a price. Let us glorify God in all that we do that the world might see, hear and know that Christ is Lord indeed.