Men Acting Badly, err Should We Say---Horribly!

Men Acting Badly, err Should We Say---Horribly!
Saturday, November 18, 2017 by Dan Allen

I’ve been pondering the news of recent in regard to movers–and–shakers/powerful people in Hollywood and Washington—movie promoters, actors, comedians, present, potential and ex–politicians—doing unthinkable things that shouldn’t be done to those of the opposite sex—sexual harassment, sexual violations, sophomoric jokes and innuendoes, etc. None, of which, is acceptable behavior—EVER!

Several things come to mind.

The first is what the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (17:9). Although it would be nice if all men acted like gentlemen at all times, sin prevails and people will do disgusting and possibly evil things to others, especially if they think they can get away with it. Unfortunately, it is the norm in a fallen world, but not to be tolerated. We do need, however, to determine what rises to the level of inclemency and illegality. Let’s not confuse Junior High-ish pranks and even the antics old men (i.e. – a nonagenarian ex-president) with exposing oneself and rape. The latter two lose their severity if the former are placed in the same category. All is sinful, but . . .

Secondly, it was our Lord, when confronted with a woman caught in adultery (Where was the man? Just wondering!), who stated: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone” (Jn. 8:7). Although it might be fun to join the bandwagon casting stones at those involved in such nefarious deeds and even relish their downfall, we should walk gingerly so as to not trip over the beam protruding from our own eyes (Mt. 7:5). Judgments need to come and they will from the proper authorities, but be careful on the personal pronouncements of condemnation.

And this leads to a third thought. Jesus also noted that what a person thinks in their heart, in the eyes of God, is just as much a sin as the actual act (Mt. 5:21–22; 1 Jn. 3:15). That doesn’t mean we should act out our thoughts since we’ve already sinned. And it should give us solace that there is no cartoon bubble exposing our inner thoughts for all to see. Who among us, men, could declare that what former POTUS Jimmy Carter said about looking on “women with lust,” is not true? With the proliferation and availability of porn on personal devices, this battle has become astronomical! Philippians 4:8 needs to be permanently etched on the frontal lobe of our brains. We need to join Job who wrote—“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1; NIV).

Finally, and this is more political, than spiritual, let’s not jump to conclusions passing judgments on candidates because of accusations which have not been vetted. There’s a dirty trick in politics to wait until right before an election to air potential dirty laundry. It’s obviously done because no time is afforded the accused to clear the air. There are many beautiful things about our country (politics is not one of them, but I digress), one, of which, is the fact that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Biblically, several witnesses are needed to convict (Deut. 17:6; Jn. 8:17; 2 Cor. 13:1). That said, these need to be legitimate witnesses, not paid actors shedding crocodile tears about things that happened two score ago. I’m not suggesting a particular senatorial candidate is innocent, nor these women are completely incorrect. I just think the lynch mob should stand down until facts are in before one’s character is totally destroyed. Four weeks before an election smells to high heaven.

So, that’s my reaction to the scandals de jure.

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