Charles Pogue
I have written on the subject of immorality numerous times before. I have done so and will continue to pen articles about it, because sadly, many members of the church, including members of my own family associate themselves with things which are evil. Among the forms of entertainment through which members of the church are jeopardizing their souls is in fiction literature.
One member of my family recently posted a five-star rating on the second book in a series she was reading. Her review included the statement she could hardly wait for the third book. Some or most of you who are reading this article are aware Amazon has a feature allowing a prospective customer to read excerpts from books they are considering purchasing or downloading for free or next to free on his or her Kindle device.
Out of curiosity and knowing the track record the family member has of reading unsuitable literature, I did a search for a few profane words which might appear in these excerpts. The search of the excerpt of the first book in the series resulted in 5 profane words. It also had some very sexually suggestive scenes. The except from the second book revealed 12 profane words, and twice God’s name was taken in vain. This series of books are in the genre of paranormal romance which means the very basis of the stories is problematic. Keep in mind, these excerpts are very short. One can imagine what the entire books contain.
One wonders if members of the church who read and give positive reviews to such material do not understand what profanity and vulgarity are or do they not believe reading such material is wrong despite the presence of the filthy language? Either way, they are mistaken. Among many other verses warning us all to stay away from sinful things, I would call your attention to three in particular.
Psa. 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” This has long been my favorite verse from the book of Psalms. I have it embedded on the opening screen of my laptop. This morning I read the verse from there and the thought occurred to me, if they are honest, some members of the Lord’s body would have to say, “You may not, but I will.” This verse certainly condemns reading material filled with profanity, vulgarity, and sexual content.
Eph. 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” It is interesting that Thayer defines the Greek word ergon, translated works, as a business. Those who purchase or read for free the works of authors containing bad language or other sinful content are having fellowship with the unfruitful works and workers of a dark business.
1 Thes. 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” The American Standard Version of 1901 translates the word rendered appearance in the King James version as “form.” According to Strong’s, Thayer’s, and Vines the word “form” is a primary definition of the Greek word eidos. This verse means in whatever form evil shows itself, the Christian is to abstain from it. Bad language and other sinful content in books are forms of evil and must be abstained from by the child of God.
We live in a day when immorality is losing its place as a thing to be avoided. It is true even with many members of the Lord’s body. Barring repentance, those who read evil books of fiction will pay for the activity on the day of Judgment.
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