Last night after the Super Bowl game I shared on Facebook a post from a group that wondered if the pole dancing portion of the halftime show was appropriate for young girls. One person responded that the entire show was appropriate and pointed out that the whole thing was a matter of "female empowerment." Their show - their bodies - to do whatever they want.
I spent some time this morning thinking about some of the comments I received and decided to respond:
George Spicer Are any of us - female or male - empowered to do anything we
choose with our bodies? The church at Corinth struggled over sexuality and
their bodies. Paul the apostle reminded them that "You are not your own;
you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Cor.
6:19b-20. What is this price? Martin Luther said it best: "(Jesus)
purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the
devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and His
innocent suffering and death." Jesus purchased us. He did this so that we
might be His, that we might have a place in eternity. That loving act, it seems
to me, should cause us all to think twice when considering the things we do
with our bodies. We belong to God. We were made HIs own in baptism. The Holy
Spirit is at work in us, making us the people God desires for us to be. We show
our love for God and honor him by using these bodies in God pleasing ways. I
don't think that happened last night
The halftime show is usually a specticle of some kind. I know it's designed to attract a huge audience. I'm not a big fan of either Shakira or Jennifer Lopez. Being a Beatles fan (which tells you how old I am), their music doesn't do much for me. Of course, I know that the show wasn't intended for me. That's fine. But the overt sexuality was shocking. One person called it "soft porn." I'm not sure that is the proper description but it might be close.
God has empowered us to use our bodies - to bring Him glory! One way to do this is to keep our minds and souls clear from such behavior that could cause us to sin.
Ephesians 5:3-4: "Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obsecenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."
Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praise-worthy - think about such things."
The morning shows on television all had nothing be glowing praise for the performance. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything but whole-hearted approval. Still, I wonder if enough people expressed their concern regarding this unwholesome performance that the NFL might offer next year something that has has the glitz and glamour but still be family friendly and God pleasing - in short something that we all could enjoy?
The halftime show is usually a specticle of some kind. I know it's designed to attract a huge audience. I'm not a big fan of either Shakira or Jennifer Lopez. Being a Beatles fan (which tells you how old I am), their music doesn't do much for me. Of course, I know that the show wasn't intended for me. That's fine. But the overt sexuality was shocking. One person called it "soft porn." I'm not sure that is the proper description but it might be close.
God has empowered us to use our bodies - to bring Him glory! One way to do this is to keep our minds and souls clear from such behavior that could cause us to sin.
Ephesians 5:3-4: "Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obsecenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."
Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praise-worthy - think about such things."
The morning shows on television all had nothing be glowing praise for the performance. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything but whole-hearted approval. Still, I wonder if enough people expressed their concern regarding this unwholesome performance that the NFL might offer next year something that has has the glitz and glamour but still be family friendly and God pleasing - in short something that we all could enjoy?
