By Suzanne Hadley*
September 2008 – When I heard about Miley Cyrus – pop-princess-turned-nude-model – I wasn’t surprised. Though Cyrus is a professing Christian, something like her Vanity Fair photo shoot fiasco (in which she held a bed sheet to her chest, exposing a bare side and back) seemed somehow inevitable.
I thought, too bad, flipped off the radio and moved on.
That was several weeks ago. The talk followed. Was her father Billy Ray at fault for not guarding his daughter’s innocence more carefully? Did Miley experience a star-struck lapse of judgment under the lens of famous photographer Annie Leibovitz? Or did the “Hannah Montana” star simply make a wrong choice?
In his column for Plugged In, Adam Holz made another important observation:
When a star such as Miley suddenly makes a left turn it’s also fair to ask what influences in her life might have contributed. There’s a not-so-subtle clue embedded in the first paragraph of the Vanity Fair story. Talking about her TV habits, Miley gushed about one program in particular, saying, “It’s my favorite show! I love it!” The series in question? Sex and the City. Whether Miley’s been watching an edited version in syndication or the nudity- and explicit sex-filled HBO original, her affinity for a show that glamorously showcases shallow sex and skin demonstrates a disconnect between the values of the faith she professes and her own media choices.
Few of us can relate to posing salaciously for a fashion magazine, but I’m guessing many of us can relate to indulging in an episode or two of a racy TV show, laughing at a course joke (or telling one) or hanging out with a questionable crowd.
If you’re like me, your legalism alarm is probably going off. You know where I’m headed, and you’re already screaming, What about freedom in Christ? Everything is permissible! (1 Cor. 6:12). That’s true. Legalism has no place in the life of a saved-by-grace believer in Jesus Christ. But permissiveness alone is not a virtue.
World friendly
A few weeks ago, I heard a message by Hunter Smith. The Indianapolis Colts punter talked about the values the world holds – money, power, sex – and how the pursuit of these things has no place in the life of a believer. He quoted James 4:4: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
I’d heard that verse before, but this time it hit me full force. Of all the things that could make me an enemy of God, friendship with the world isn’t what I’d expect. I could understand if the verse said, “Anyone who joins a Satanic cult is an enemy of God,” or even, “Anyone who denies the existence of Jesus.…” But, “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God?” It seems a little extreme.
After all, isn’t being familiar with popular TV shows or appreciating the world’s sense of humor an enlightened way to live as a Christian? Paul seems to say nothing is off limits (as long as it’s beneficial). And he quoted the Athenian’s own poets to get his point across (Acts 17:28). Those who don’t know Christ seem to respond positively to someone who understands their world. It feels good to be accepting and in the know.
Still, I can’t ignore James’ words.
Perhaps the issue is that getting too friendly with the world fills us up with values that oppose God. Consider this verse in Luke: “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (6:45).
Corrupted thinking eventually leads to corrupted actions. Speaking of Miley Cyrus, Holz writes:
Sex and the City didn’t make her pose with a sheet … or with her boyfriend; nothing she’s said suggests such a definitive link. But if there’s anything Plugged In is committed to, it’s the idea that the entertainment we ingest influences our perspective on ourselves and the world around us. So isn’t it fair to ask, “How much is Miley’s affection for something like Sex and the City in the mix here?”
Absolutely.
And it’s fair – and necessary – for me to question my own media diet and consider if there is a disconnect between my tastes and my faith.
Out of place
During college, I took a prophets class from a godly, older professor, who was loved and revered by students. One day, we were discussing Hosea and Gomer, and he made a passing joke about divorce. In the context, his comment was funny. Everyone knew the professor loved his wife and would never consider divorcing her.
The next day, however, that professor stood before us and said, “I feel that I need to apologize to you. I made a joke yesterday that was out of place. The Bible says a believer shouldn’t engage in foolish talk, and I did. I’m sorry.”
He was referring to Ephesians 5:3-4: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
I was impacted deeply by his sensitivity over a seemingly small issue. I have thought of it many times since then, especially when I have not been so sensitive. I have certainly been guilty of unseemly joking at times. Not only is foolish talk sin, its very presence is a sign that something is wrong between me and God.
And if my speech, social habits and media choices are not reflecting my relationship with God, my actions cannot be far behind.
True integrity
A few weeks ago, I was challenged in this area by a 16-year-old. Zach Hunter is best known for founding “Loose Change to Loosen Chains,” an antislavery campaign. But his quiet integrity is what impacted me. He doesn’t have a lot of friends his own age, and he won’t claim to be a “normal” teen. But not for the reasons you might think.
“A lot of times kids my age are going out and doing things I don’t want to do,” he says, “because they’re not right.”
He wasn’t talking about having sex or doing drugs. He was talking about seeing movies that don’t honor God or attending a school dance where purity is lacking. Zach has chosen to be a friend of God. And he’s OK with allowing some parts of this world to be his enemy.
Zach and Miley are similar in many ways. Both are 16. Both are professing Christians. Both possess extraordinary talents. But one is absorbing values from a sex-obsessed TV show, the other from God’s Word. And the fruit of their lives is dramatically different.
I don’t say this to judge. I have noticed permissiveness in my own life – a high five to the world – that I’m dealing with. While freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing, I need to pay attention to what I’m feasting on – food or garbage. My mom always told me to choose my friends wisely. As for me, I want to be a friend of God. 
*From the Boundless webzine (www.boundless.org). Copyright © 2008, Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
Biblical principles of conduct
C. J. Mahaney, president of Sovereign Grace Ministries of Gaithersburg, Maryland, compiled the following questions and Scripture support to help in determining whether or not a certain activity is glorifying to God.
The following is excerpted from the booklet Half A Poison Pill Won’t Kill Me: Thoughts on Worldliness and the Media that Promote It.
1. Does it present a temptation to sin?
Romans 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
2. Is it beneficial?
1 Corinthians 6:12a “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial.”
1 Corinthians 10:23 “‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive.”
3. Is it enslaving?
1 Corinthians 6:12b “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
4. Does it honor and glorify God?
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
5. Does it promote the good of others?
1 Corinthians 10:33 “… even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
6. Does it cause anyone to stumble?
1 Corinthians 10:32 “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.”
7. Does it arise from a pure motive?
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
