Published: April 17, 2008 12:38 pm            

Are we sending the wrong message?

I recently heard about some school proms in another state where a “prom package” is being given to students who will be attending the prom. Included the in package are various gifts from merchants to make the prom experience memorable. Also included in the package are two condoms that are supplied by the local health department.

My question is aren’t they encouraging immoral behavior by saying to our young people that we expect that you are going to have sex on prom night ,so here is some protection when (not if) you do ? This sends the wrong message to hormone raged teens. It is saying that, forget if this act is right or wrong (and illegal for underage teens), just don’t get pregnant or catch a sexually transmitted disease when you do it. Another question that I have is shouldn’t we at least be as concerned about the damage to their eternal souls as we are about their bodies ?

It is bad enough that we are bombarded with horrible shows depicting and promoting every kind of sexual sin and perversion on the television, radio and internet, but now we are taking it one step further and actually providing the means to engage in the sexual act that God calls a sin when it is committed outside of marriage. We are subconsciously saying to the teens that we expect them to have sex on their prom night.

What ever happened to sitting down with our teens and explaining the joy and beauty of abstinence? With many teens loosing their virginity before age 15 and the soaring teen pregnancy rate, not to mention the rising abortion rate at a means of birth control and handling the nuisance of an unwanted pregnancy, isn’t it time that we started sending a different message than what we are sending now?

The responsibility of sharing the message of sexual purity and abstinence does not begin with the school system, health department, or television and radio public service announcements. This message beings with parents and grandparents who love their children enough to tell them the truth about these matters and not leave it up to the world to educate them. The Bible has many things to say about sex and the reason that God gave it to us. It also warns of the consequences of it’s abuse and misuse. So why not use the Bible as a “sex manual” to explain God’s beautiful plan for this wonderful gift that He gave to mankind to be enjoyed only after a couple is married and within the confines of that marriage. Now, that is sending the right message.



In love with Jesus,

Rev. Gary Mimbs

Pastor - Dalton First Church of the Nazarene

        

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