Who Has a Problem with Morals?
A commentary by David Treybig
United Church of God pastor, St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida
The story of former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer's fall
due to his apparent involvement with a prostitution ring known as
the Emperors Club V.I.P. has dominated American media.
It seems that everything about the sordid incident is being reported.
From Spitzer's career to the impact on his wife and three
children to how wives deal with cheating husbands to what makes
men seek out prostitutes to what prostitutes think of the situation
to the possible impact on the U.S. presidential race—every
conceivable angle is being pursued.
And it's not just the media that is fixated on this titillating
event. The American public is likewise voraciously taking in every
detail. Foxnews.com reported it as the most often read article and
as the top viewed video. A provocative photo of "Kristen," the
alleged high-priced prostitute connected with Spitzer, circulates
throughout the reports and she has even been interviewed so she
can give her side of the story.
What can we learn from this tragedy? We're overwhelmed with
information but who is explaining how to sort it all out?
The easy answer as to who has a problem with morals is Elliot Spitzer.
But the answer extends beyond Spitzer, beyond the prostitutes in
the Emperors Club V.I.P., and beyond those who use the services
of such rings.
The painful truth is that sometimes others see us better than we
see ourselves. When it comes to morality, the world sees the United
States as a hypocritical nation. We Americans seemingly become righteously
indignant whenever a public official is caught in a sex scandal
yet seem not to realize that our nation is also a major producer
of pornographic and sexually suggestive movies. When foreigners
view American television, they see programs filled with sexual innuendos
and programs that promote sexual immorality of every type.
And how are American families doing when it comes to raising moral
children?
Notice this recent press
release by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
"Chicago (March 11, 2008) – A CDC study released today estimates
that one in four (26 percent) young women between the ages of 14 and 19 in
the United States – or 3.2 million teenage girls – is infected
with at least one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (human
papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis)."
Bear in mind that this report only estimates the percentage of
girls ages 14-19 having one of the most common sexually
transmitted diseases. It doesn't consider the uncommon sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) or the number of young men and women
who are having premarital sex, yet apparently having not contracted
a common STD.
So what does the CDC recommend? It most certainly doesn't
tell people to stop having sex prior to and outside of marriage
as the Bible teaches. Instead of giving this advice that would stop
STDs in their tracks, the "CDC recommends annual chlamydia
screening for sexually active women under the age of 25. CDC also
recommends that girls and women between the ages of 11 and 26 who
have not been vaccinated or who have not completed the full series
of shots be fully vaccinated against HPV" (ibid.).
We humans don't want to change our behavior and we don't
want anyone to judge us. Human nature says, "I'm in
charge of my own moral compass. I'll do what is right for
me." But there is a Judge to whom we will all eventually answer.
Just before the fall of ancient Israel, the prophet Jeremiah described
the moral scene: "…they committed adultery and trooped
to the houses of prostitutes. They were well-fed lusty stallions,
each neighing for his neighbor's wife" (Jeremiah 5:7-8, New
Revised Standard). Continuing, God said, "Shall I not
punish them for these things? says the Lord; and shall I not bring
retribution on a nation such as this?'" (verse 9). And
He did. And He will do the same to our nation if we do not repent.
Regarding moral behavior, we all—not just Spitzer and the
prostitutes—have many problems to overcome (Romans 3:23).
Thankfully, God offers help—if we sincerely accept His terms.
First we must learn from His word—the Bible—how
to distinguish acceptable from unacceptable behaviors. Next we must
reverse course (repent). Then, to receive through the power
of God's Spirit the essential help we need to live holy lives,
we need to make a baptismal covenant with Him and Jesus Christ His
Son through which our old self is buried symbolically with Christ
(Romans 6:3-4).
  God
has a grand purpose for your life. For guidance on fulfilling it,
simply request or download our free booklets: Transforming
Your Life and Marriage and
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