I saw an advertisement while I was walking in NYC last week, that was a blatant opposition to God’s command, “Thou shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17)
An ADVERTISEMENT.
Advertising is a form of marketing communication used to persuade an audience to take or continue some action, usually with respect to a commercial offering, or political or ideological support. In Latin, ad vertere means “to turn toward”.
To turn toward! When God’s Word clearly tells us to turn away from sin and evil. This ad so blatantly goes against God’s Word and manipulates the message of CHRISTmas, such a direct attack!
This ad is blatant but there are many subtle ways that the world tries to “advertise” a way or a thought that is in direct opposition to God and His Word.
Things like casual dating, drinking, divorce, and adultery are all marketed to us as the standard and the norm through various “reality” shows, popular song lyrics, Facebook and Instagram quotes and memes and etc.
Though we may know these ideologies are in direct opposition to God’s Word, the first time we see or hear it we may be able to say “No, that’s not my reality, that’s not my norm.” Maybe even the second time. But being constantly bombarded by these advertisements, both subtle and overt, we eventually may come to see this as the norm and be less like the “salt” and “light” we are called to be.
In my own life I have seen this to be true, even recently! At my office’s holiday dinner, we all went out after for the “after party”. I danced and sung along with the songs, seemingly innocent, it’s not like I believe or adhere to the messages in these songs, I’m just having a good time with my coworkers. When one of them pulled me aside and said ‘Oh Jamelia, I’m seeing another side of you today!’ It was my wake up call.
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. (I Corinthians 10:23-24)
What kind of letter am I to the world if I look like the world, talk like the world and think as the world thinks? How am I any different?
What is salt that loses it’s flavor? What kind of light blends in with darkness?
NONE! It’s impossible!
These advertisements and tv shows that try to convince us of any and everything contrary to Gods Word are everywhere. What are we reading? What are we watching? What music are we listening too? These all effect us. Even more reason to put on our armor every morning before we go out into the world. Our helmet to guard our minds and the sword of the Word to fight against opposing thoughts and ideas contrary to God’s truth!
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 )
Even more reason to sit with God and listen to Him, learn who He is and how He speaks, what He says through reading His Word for ourselves! Lest we be fooled by advertisements, like this one and especially those that more subtly manipulate God’s Word and encourage us to mirror darkness.
Let us guard our hearts, be set apart and not conform to this world!
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20)
