How does one express themselves concerning love and what is pure and what is impure?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: The obsession with sexual content has become dominant in our news coverage and advertising campaigns. We are bombarded and desensitized. My teenagers are puzzled by my concern, arguing that it’s up to each person how they express themselves concerning love and what is pure and what is impure. How does one draw the distinction in the midst of a perverse society? – I.P.
A: The sin of impurity at first may not appear ugly. It comes in the guise of beauty and desirability. Satan clothes his goddess of lust as an angel of love. It’s the devil’s trap and it has ruined the sanctity of the home. It’s hindered the health and development of the personality and caused the spiritual impotence of multitudes. It has caused marriages to end in divorce, made thousands of innocent children homeless, and has wrecked the hope of the bright tomorrow for many a young person.
Impurity twists and distorts one of God’s most precious gifts to mankind: love, dragging it down to the level of the beast. People present it in the forms of filthy stories, suggestive remarks, and open vulgarity. It bids for our attention from all forms of media. Impurity has a better press agent than purity. Purity by the rank and file is considered smug, but impurity is considered smart. This is from the devil. In selling sex wholesale, the momentary thrill is played up, but the consequences of this vicious sin are played down, failing to address the remorse, futility, and spiritual devastation.
Contrast the world’s idea of love with the Bible’s: “Love … is kind; love does not envy … [or] parade itself … [it] does not seek its own … whatever is honorable … whatever is pure … think on these things” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5, NKJV; Philippians 4:8, ESV).
As Christians, we must make it our goal to become more like Christ by refusing to let sin have its way and pursuing that which is pure and good in the sight of God.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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