Problem of Violence (3): Breakdown of Morality
December 16, 2007
by Harry Osborne

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at the problem of violence in our society and how to correct it. We have noticed that this scourge must be addressed by restoring proper love and discipline into families. Today, we add the fact that violence cannot be overcome in our nation without a return to a proper moral standard. Immorality and violence are inseparably linked.

One need not look very far to see the obvious conflict between modern practices and the standard revealed by God regarding morality. Our society is on the verge of self-destruction from the results of rampant immorality! Such widespread immorality leaves many in our society adrift without a guiding compass for directing their lives. An absence of principle causes many people to make decisions which are amoral or absent any recognition of values. This results in actions from emotion and lust rather than considered reason. In such a setting, violence will surely result.

Effects of Pornography
President Reagan commissioned a study on the prevalence and effect of pornography in our society. At that time, the commission noted that there were more so-called "adult bookstores" (sellers of pornography) than McDonald's restaurants in this country. Since that time, the number of obscene businesses has increased rapidly. Pornography is a multi-billion industry in this country. Worse yet, cable television and the Internet have brought the tools for spreading pornography into almost every home in the country. "Chat rooms" have brought an alarming number of women to participate in this filth with anonymity. It is impossible to know the number of lives destroyed by it. Sadly, some brothers and sisters in Christ have been among the casualties.

The previously mentioned commission further found that there was a link between violent crime against women and the viewing of pornography. The profits of the industry have proven links with other criminal activities. In short, pornography is a scourge on our society! It fosters violence as it "de-humanizes" a sex object and instills an animalistic pattern of thought into the viewer. This vile plague is clearly condemned in the Bible.

Jesus declared the viewing of such is sinful. In Matthew 5:27-28, He said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." He went on to say that those who do such stand in jeopardy of eternal punishment in hell.

Jesus also condemned those who produce such enticements for others to sin. In Luke 17:1-2, He said, "It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble." As Christians and parents, let us make sure we make no provision for the flesh by allowing such filth into our homes (Rom. 13:14). Remember that the privacy of our homes will be made public before God in judgment (Eccl. 12:14).

Effects of Divorce and Remarriage
The growing rates of divorce and multiple marriage indicate another realm for needed restoration of our Lord's moral standard. Our society looks upon marriage as an easily disposable relationship. If either spouse decides there are "irreconcilable difference," a no-fault divorce is the popular solution. Through such actions, the principle of commitment has been sacrificed at the altar of lust.

Jesus said this on the subject: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matt. 19:4-6).

God did not intend marriage as a temporary union, but a permanent one. Jesus gave only one reason to lawfully divorce a spouse and marry another: "And I say to you, whoever puts away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away commits adultery" (Matt. 19:9). We must restore that standard to our lives, our teaching and our fellowship. We do not help the problem in our society when we tolerate preachers justifying such ungodliness or those living in adulterous marriages. On the contrary, we make it worse!

When violence to relationships within the home is tolerated, it is not surprising that violence will be acted out in the community. Study after study has shown the same positive correlation between perpetrators of violence and broken homes. Child abuse is far more prevalent in step-parents than in parents. The child who grows up as the target of violence is more likely to be violent later.

Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Drunkenness and drug abuse is another companion of violence in today's world that could be solved by a restoration of God's will in our time. Deaths from drug use are alarmingly high. Fatalities from drunken drivers take place daily. The fact that violence is found hand-in-hand with drug abuse and alcohol is a fact too clear to deny. How many stabbings or shootings take place at a bar or a crack house versus a malt shop -- or an assembly of worship?

The Bible is clear in condemning such behavior. Peter says that we must "cease from sin" and live by "the will of God." He adds, "For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the sins of the Gentiles - when we walked in licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries" (1 Pet. 4:1-3). The words of divine wisdom are still true today: "Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Prov. 20:1). We would all be blessed with a safer world if that standard became the norm today.

When I was growing up, I heard a great number of sermons in which the use of alcohol was condemned. Now, I hear some brethren including a number of preachers who justify the "moderate" use intoxicants as a beverage. One "brother" in a place of influence among young people even suggested that we have made too much fuss about a little use of marijuana! Can anyone honestly affirm that a mug of beer, a glass of wine, a shot of whiskey, a joint of marijuana or a line of cocaine brings them closer to God and encourages a more peaceable society? No, such things do not aid peace, but they are repeatedly associated with violence and other evils. Christians must be consistent examples for good by condemning that condemned by the Bible (Prov. 23:29-35).

When brethren raise doubts and questions that tend towards the tolerance of "just one drink," do we not recognize the effect? The progressive nature of sin is a fact (2 Tim. 3:13). One does not avoid fornication by putting himself in compromising situations, but by fleeing the possibility for it (Prov. 6:27-29; 1 Cor. 6:18). One does not guard against evil speech by seeing how close he can get to it, but by putting it "far from" him (Prov. 4:24). The same goes for every other sin (Eph. 5:3-12). Those who justify "just one" step into evil, stand condemned as stumblingblocks (Lk. 17:1-2). That includes those condoning "just one drink" of intoxicants! Are we helping cause or cure the problem?

Conclusion
We could look at other areas where immorality has led to violence in our world, but these examples establish the fact beyond any reasonable doubt. A valueless society produces a growing number of young people who act without principle. When wrong is done, there is no remorse. The cold, violent eyes without feeling are the result of a heart without biblical morality. We must do our best to avoid that end by instilling within our children the values found in God's word. It is righteousness that exalts a nation and gives hope to all (Prov. 14:32, 34).

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