Adam and Eve were given clear instruction as to their role while in the Garden of Eden, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’ ” (Genesis 1:27-28). We were created as two distinct sexes and told to multiply. God considered this relationship to be complete because He blessed it. We were also created as a type of the God Family and given dominion over the physical creation. It was in a way a small semblance to the dominion God has over all of creation. His directive had the purpose of training mankind to become part of the God Family.
We read in Proverbs why it is so important to carry on Godly training, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). But what way should we go? Whom can we turn to today and find a path that leads to God? It’s not within the understanding of our own cultural leaders and educators to point to that truth. It’s only through the small remnants of God’s true church, by adhering to the Bible, that any lights still shine in this dark age.
One striking example of the extinction of godliness today is in our entertainment industry. Many grew up watching Disney movies which portrayed a modicum of wholesomeness and family-oriented values. But Disney is embracing a more contemporary outlook today. In a recent online Glamor article, speaking about recent Disney XD teen shows they state, “Diversity seems to have become more of a priority for the brand in recent years. In 2014 the live-action Disney Channel show “Good Luck Charlie” proudly featured a lesbian couple, whose storyline was the episode’s main arc. In more subtle endorsements of equality, the Disney Channel show “Gravity Falls” featured two male cops who were a couple.”
“Train up a child in the way they should go…” Embracing homosexuality and gender fluidity is the direction society wants our children to go and God abhors it. Our culture isn’t just accepting of perverse ideals but pursues after them. That behavior is instilled into our youth, and they in turn pass it to their offspring. We are warned by the apostle Peter about this cycle that ultimately leads to death, “…having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness…” (2 Peter 2:14-15).
It wasn’t hyperbole when Christ compared us to lights in a world filled with ungodliness. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
We must stand out and shine more and more as the return of Christ nears. It won’t make us friends to this world, instead its enemies. We will be hated like Christ was hated because He sought a better way. We must be Godly examples to our children, teaching them God’s laws: “We will not hide them [God’s laws] from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done” (Psalm 78:4).
