Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn is threatening legal action against those responsible for leaking nude photos of herself and then-boyfriend Tiger Woods. Dozens of such photos of the couple and other celebrities are reportedly being released onto the internet.
Here’s my question: If Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods followed biblical morality, would they be in this position? They were never married, yet they obviously behaved as if they were. The seventh commandment would have prevented the humiliation that is now transpiring.
We can ask a second question of the other celebrities whose intimate photos are now being published: Why do these photos exist? I’m not defending those who are distributing them, of course. But if the celebrities obeyed Scripture regarding modesty (1 Timothy 2:9–10), lust (Matthew 5:28), and stewardship of our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19), we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Here’s my third question: When you heard about the photos of Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn, did the immorality of their relationship come first to mind? Or is such sexuality so common today that you’re desensitized to it morally?
In a culture as hedonistic as ours, one of Satan’s most effective tools is the “everyone’s doing it” strategy. Three results please him and grieve our Lord:
One: We participate in ungodly activities because they’re now “normal.” One survey reports that only 11 percent of Christian singles are waiting to have sex until they’re married.
Two: We stop teaching biblical morality to our children. Scripture calls us to teach God’s precepts “diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:7). But it’s hard to teach what we don’t believe. If we think sex outside of marriage is normal, so will our kids.
Three: We stop advocating for biblical morality in our culture. What Christian voices are standing up for purity today? Many are afraid of being branded “intolerant,” the cardinal sin of our tolerance-based culture. Satan has unfettered access to our media and society because biblical voices are so silent on the moral issues of our day.
What is the answer to sexual immorality? One major step is understanding why God forbids it.
Our Lord is not a Cosmic Killjoy who wants to inflict an unrealistic sexual ethic on us. Rather, he is a loving Father who wants only what is best for his children. And he knows that sex outside of marriage is devastating to our bodies, families, and souls.
Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in the United States. Sexual activity outside of marriage damages us hormonally and psychologically. The pain inflicted on children and families by adultery is well-documented. And the guilt that persists long after the relationship is over burdens our souls and grieves our Father.
Charles Spurgeon: “I would sooner be holy than happy if the two things could be divorced. Were it possible for a man always to sorrow and yet to be pure, I would choose the sorrow if I might win the purity, for to be free from the power of sin, to be made to love holiness, is true happiness.”
Are you truly happy today?
NOTE: Ryan Denison has written an insightful article on the Confederate statues controversy. To read it, click here.
Jim Denison, Ph.D., speaks and writes on cultural and contemporary issues. He produces a daily column which is distributed to more than 113,000 subscribers in 203 countries. He also writes for The Dallas Morning News, The Christian Post, Common Call, and other publications.
