IT'S OKAY TO BE NAIVE

Earlier this summer I was in the process of getting ready for vacation when I realized I needed new swimming trunks. I appreciate the convenience of shopping via the Internet so I did a Google search. Much to my shock and surprise my search took me to a particular type of clothing for men that I didn’t even know existed. (Note to self: I have to be more careful what words I use when I’m doing a Google search!) I’m refraining from giving too many details that will make more sense in a few minutes. I told Anita what happened and, of course, she laughed at me.

I haven’t led an entirely sheltered life, but compared to many, I probably function with some degree of ignorance or innocence. I guess I’m thinking about all this today because yesterday I was telling the story about a couple of friends (young adult males) who thought it would be fun to take a trip to Vegas. Were they ever in for a shock when walking down the sidewalks on the Strip people would hand them flyers advertising all types of debauchery.

There’s a verse in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that’s been on my radar for many years. In 6:12 Paul writes, “For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” (NIV) This verse is more relevant than ever in our ever-expanding world of media and technology. Most of us have access to more information than we’re able to consume in several lifetimes. “More information” is not just a reference to the quantity of information, but the variety of information that is available to us 24/7/365. This verse is a strong Word to every follower of Jesus Christ to place a filter on WHAT WE SEE and WHAT WE SAY. A similar encouragement comes from Paul in Romans 16:19: “…I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (NIV) The word, innocent, in the original language of the New Testament (Greek) is Akeraios (ak-er’-ah-yos) and it means: “unmixed, pure as in wines or metals; of the mind, without a mixture of evil, free from guile, innocent, simple.” (Source: Strong’s Concordance)

Somewhere along the way in our culture it’s become a bad thing to be innocent. The naïve are mocked and made the punch line of jokes. There’s a certain pressure, whether you’re a student in school or hanging with your fellow employees, to have an awareness of all that’s happening in the world. It’s awkward to be with your friends and to be totally clueless when they’re talking about something. Keep in mind those who are “innocent about what is evil” are in a much, much better place. The innocent are in a place of freedom. Their minds are free of the burden and bondage of sin. There is power in purity! (I want to address this freedom and power in my next blog post)

I had a friend share with me about how when he was in the military and wasn’t fully devoted to Jesus Christ, he’d hang out with the guys and watch porn movies. This wasn’t an isolated thing but a big part of their free time activities. My friend said that the impact of the images he burned into his memory was something he had to deal with every day of his life. When he shared this with me he had been out of the military for about 10 years and it was still a daily battle. He could no longer claim to be innocent of evil. Friend, there’s a huge burden that comes with knowledge. More than ever before, as followers of Jesus Christ we have to be determined and diligent to preserve our innocence by guarding what we see and what we say.

TO BE CONTINUED