What is Indecent?

I have sat down three different times to write this post. Writing about what is indecent is difficult for several reasons.

First, it is likely I will tread on some extremely controversial issues. Second, I worry these flammable topics will heap unnecessary guilt onto some of us. I know I struggle with this in my own marriage. There are practices in which the Bible states clearly are sinful and my husband does not subscribe to those views.

This is all too common in an unequally yoked marriage. I know many of you struggle with differing worldviews and moral dilemmas. This discord has proven to be one of the most difficult areas in my own marriage.

Let me return to sitting down three different times to write. Each time as I searched God’s word for scripture, I was taken immediately to Romans. Here is what I am to share with you today:

I searched Biblegateway.com looking for the word, indecent: Three Scriptures returned.

The first: Deuteronomy 23:14 For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.

This scripture started this journey. I should tell you that as I write these series of posts, I am also completely surprised where God leads. I am always amazed too! You won’t believe where this one is going. Find out at the end.

The second scripture was about Old Testament divorce.

The third is Romans 1:27

Beginning in verse 26. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

What is indecent? Sexual sin.

Before we go down that road and I DO intend to post on this, I want to share a story with you.

I am convinced that what is in our home absolutely matters in the spiritual realm. I will give you a personal example.

Several years ago I visited a close relative. I remember walking into this home and immediately I was drawn to this face. It was a sculpture of a head. About five inches tall and wide. It was round, painted white and the face was detailed in black. There was nothing unusually scary about this face but immediately I got the willies. It was some kind of an evil representation. I still feel uneasy just thinking about it. I was impressed that this home was under its control.

On the flip side, I am also convinced that we have angels who regularly are present in our homes. I am certain I saw one in the wee hours of the morning several years ago. With this said, I know that our homes must be rid of items that are offensive to God.

I know, I know, easier said than done in our unequal matrimony. My husband has a tiny replica of an Indian mausoleum which sits on his office desk. It bugs me. But he sees no harm in it. This is one battle I am not going to fight today. However, if he came home and hung a writing from Buddha on the wall, I would freak-out and we would have emotional strong discussions over it.

Because I have demonstrated consistent love and an ongoing commitment to my faith, my husband would not dishonor me with a Buddha wall hanging today. However, always little things continue to enter our home. Mostly they are mine and they say: This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Question: Do you think there are such things as modern day household idols?
Do you think God is offended to find them in homes?
Would he refuse to abide in a home with these idols?

In April, 2007 I wrote a story for Laced With Grace about a modern day idol that ended up in a Christians yard. This Christian is one of my closest family members. I was shocked to see how easily Satan slipped an idol into her home. I will post this true story here tomorrow.

Next post in this series: Pornography. Is it indecent? After all it doesn’t harm anyone, does it? I have been researching this topic. You are going to be shocked… or not…. I was.

I have some fantastic information, a timely interview, perhaps even an open Q&A with a qualified Psychologist.

Let me leave you with this:

Every second - $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography
Every second - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography
Every second - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines
Every 39 minutes: a new pornographic video is being created in the United States

Be blessed and remember, we can make a difference in our homes. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Lynn

Comments

[Tami Boesiger]

You have definitely piqued my interest, Lynn! I'm looking forward to your upcoming posts.

I do think people have modern day idols in their homes and within their possession and these things can seem perfectly harmless. Wouldn't Satan be a little sneaky?

I'm not a big fan of the guardian angel pins because to me they represent relying on something other than God. Yes, angels are God's agents, but didn't Jesus die so we could relate to God directly? It seems like a trick to get our minds off of Christ.

I have witnessed tributes to people within homes and wondered where their true allegiance lies too. It is easy to worship others and get our eyes off God also.

And then again, maybe I'm being too critical and judgmental which is a problem of mine.

Interesting ideas, Lynn. I'd enjoy discussing them with you in person. Too bad we live so far apart. Nice work, friend.

[Ang4him (Angela)]

Lynn,

I'm looking forward to reading your upcoming posts. You are so right on about our differing beliefs from our husbands causing issues if we are unequally yoked. The pornography issue is one I've been looking into over the past year as well, so I'm eager to hear what you have to say. I was actually getting ready to post something on my site related to this as well soon.

Bless you for this site and your obedience in posting relative posts even when they may be controversial.

[Peggy]

WOW Lynn...hit the nail right on the head!
May God continue to give you wisdom and courage to speak out!

100% right on!!I think I wrote to you about this problem in my unequal marriage a bit and I just want to say...we cannot exist or thrive in a place where the Holy Spirit is quenched...Trust me..I lived with the last indecent subject above for all my marriage while I lived in that home...I needed to be set free from the demonic strongholds that this puts on ones' life...I won't comment publicly but if you want further validation of your topic...I'm the one to ask. I know I told you about since I've left that the decor of my home at least the entrance and one room has Aztec gods...not to say he believes in those but as an art form or culturally he believes it is alright! IT IS NOT alright!

Somewhere in scripture it clearly tells us how light and darkness cannot exist together and also about serving two masters.

Well, this is your topic, BUT be not afraid.
Many need to be set free from what we believe won't harm us but it does my life is aliving testimony of this and why I have such a strong sense to do something here in Mexico with young women's lives(pretty big vision) which makes it full circle for me!

Be strong and courageous...remember! Be blessed and praying that you speak it forth!
VICTOR not VICTIM any longer FREED by HIS GRACE... Loving ya' and praying, Peggy

[Peggy]

Sorry Lynn...I got so carried away... I forgot to answer your # IMPORTANT ???s

Yes!

YES!!

I suppose SO...very convicting!!!

[e-Mom]

Your statistics are staggering. I know it's bad, but that bad? Wow. (I believe you. :~D)

It's an odd thing. I've noticed the older I get, the more sober I've become. Somehow, my idealistic blinders have been removed. I'm much more aware of evil in the world, which can be overwhelming to contemplate. Sometimes, honestly, even the violence I see in Scripture turns me away from certain passages... it just freaks me out. (But I digress.)

Years ago, we attended Bill Gothard's Basic Youth Conflicts (seminar), and he encouraged attendees to remove all art objects (and books) we thought would be displeasing to God. So we did that. It's probably a good idea to go through that process again. An excellent post. HUGS!

[Angie]

I will pray Lynn---as you are stomping in the devils playground. That the LORD will cover you---and open your eyes and heart to the message WE ALL NEED!
I agree with you...and my answer to your question...yes, I do believe there are "modern day idols". YES I think it offends the heart of God and yes...I think He could refuse to dwell there...And would--if it were placed there with a purpose of having it as an idol. But if it is there---without the desire of the believer--who may be unable to "remove" it...I believe that the Lord would be "wherever" the "believer" was. Does that make sense?? It's late in the afternoon...so my brain is...a bit tired....but this is something I would love to "table talk" with you in JUNE!!!