Have the Times Changed?

Being considered "worldly" came up for discussion at our house this week.It started with a post on Facebook that was meant to be funny, and turned into a large discussion with my kids and husband on the definition of the word and what Christians mean when they say something is "worldly".

What was considered "worldly" when I was growing up has certainly changed. Being a kid in the 60's and 70's I lived through a huge cultural revolution in our nation's history. There was a large upheaval in our nation of basic foundational principals that the previous generations adhered to. Women went out to work, burned their bras, and participated in sit-ins and marches. The Civil Rights movement sparked an entire segment of our population to stand up and be counted as never before in our nation's history. Teenagers got high, dropped out and protested in the streets over a war that they felt was not worthy to give their lives for. Young men burned their draft cards and questioned authority.

Music was changed by 4 young men from Britain. TV was changed by a young, unmarried career women that openly talked about sex and raised a baby alone. Movies started to have ratings since the language and content were considerably more adult than previously when they were filmed in black and white. Family restaurants added bars, and TV was as common as computers are today. The Internet changed the way we looked at the world and the information we received.

But Christians wanted to hold on to a higher standard. The old saying, "don't smoke nor drink nor chew~~ nor run with girls that do" was preached from the pulpit. Lines were drawn and long sermons preached about the evils of the world around us. My early years of being a Christian were filled with lists of things to do and not do to show the world you were a Christian. Outward signs were pushed to prove that we were unspotted by the world and its influences. Some things on the lists included:


Women did not wear pants.
No smoking
No drinking alcohol
No dining anywhere alcohol is served
No dances
No movies
Men did not have long hair
Women did not have short hair
Men did not wear jewelry
Women did not have piercings
Never ever have a tatoo
Men were clean shaven
No rock music
No gambling
No work or travel on Sundays--not even going out to eat
Never miss a  Sunday church service
No cussing
No chewing

The list in other churches included not driving a car with chrome or wearing bright colors such as red or orange. Shopping at stores like Entertain- mart or Cabbellas was frowned upon as being worldly. Dangling earrings and blue eye shadow were a definite no-no. And playing cards and poker chips were straight from the pit of hell. Sexy underwear and trendy shoes put you on the list. And dyed hair truly made you a goner. It seems alot of the rules were aimed at women and our ability to slip into the abyss if we did not have a set of rules in front of us to keep us straight. One girl I went to school with was not allowed to wear shiny patent leather shoes because they might reflect what she had on under her skirt..and therefor make her loose.

All that said, {and I am sure you could add to the list with your own experiences} we come to 2011 and wonder what is on the list today. Music---styles---movies---trends. They all come and go. Skirt lengths go up and down. Pants are worn by the female organist at church. Services are on Saturday nights now along with Sunday mornings to accommodate those who can't seem to get up early Sunday morning. Lots of wonderful Christians drink (not to excess) and play cards with friends on Friday nights. Grey hair is covered up and implants are put in. Tummys are tucked and Paul McCartney concerts are sold out. Drums are on the stage at church and electric guitars are a welcome part to many worship services. Some churches even have worship dancers---gasp!

Are all these things wrong? Do all the Christians that participate in any of the past taboo things have a problem with a "love of this world?' Can we really tell from the outside what relationship they have with the Lord? Is it a keeping of a list that keeps us holy and blameless before God.

A wise pastor friend of mine said~~" being worldly is when what we do is not for the Honor and Glory of God, to include but not be limited to going on vacation, drinking a soda, going to church, singing a hymn, or listening to JZ." I got the point.

God's glory is what we are to be busy with---not checking off a "not to do" list and feeling smug about our choices. That looks different for everyone I think. If it harms God's glory--we better think twice. But I am oh so sure I do not want to be the judge and jury for that decision for others. It will be a big enough job keeping on track myself.

So what does it look like for a Christian to be "worldly" in 2011. I am not making a list---or even giving you a once over to see if you measure up---but going to keep my eyes focused on Him and see where He wants me to go.