Babe of the Day

I wrestled with the title of this post, but the one I've chosen gets right to the issue. One of our local sports radio stations routinely reminds their listeners: "Need a break from work? Check out the babe of the day." The announcer then provides the web address and has sometimes "teased" a little further to say they also have the "Thong of the Day." While I am thankful to live in a country where freedom of speech (and somtimes ignorance) is allowed, we would do well to remember that legality and Godliness are not always equated. Paul dealt with a similar issue in 1 Cor. 6, when the men of the church wanted to use their "freedom" to engage sexually with temple prostitutes. Paul strongly reminded the Corinthian church that just because something is permissible does not make it beneficial. For instance, you are "free" to have bad breath, but it will most likely not benefit you or those around you. You are also "free" to have a unibrow, but the majority of those around you most likely prefer two instead of one. With regard to our local radio station, we live in a country where we can "freely" look at things on the Internet, but in this case there are no benefits. Here are two particular reasons: 1. This radio station is not doing these men any favors. Looking at the "babe of the day" will not build your marriage, but destroy it. Anything that works against our marriage should be viewed as an enemy. 2. This radio station is not doing these women any favors. To display the pictures of these women, does nothing to build these ladies up, rather it promotes them as being objects to be had instead. It causes the "beauty" of the women to be the "end" rather than the means to a greater end of seeing the beauty of the One who has created all. Paul's passionate plea in 1 Cor. 6 is that the substitutionary atonement of Christ should make a difference in what we do with our bodies. Our bodies are not just molecules and moles, they are the very dwelling place of God. Paul's parting shot: So glorify God in your body. Don't be fooled by the seemingly harmless radio commercial. The "peek" is not worth what it costs. By the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the flesh and you will live (Rom. 8:13). So maybe we could run this radio spot: "Need a break from work? Read the Word," so that you might love your wife deeply and lead your children well. You were not created just to satisfy urges, but for the glory of God.