“. . . the mature . . . by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)

One of the most telling indications of the moral degeneration of our society is the way in which even the meanings of words become reversed-in the church as well as in the world. Consider, for example the meanings of such words as “adult” and “mature.” An “adult” entertainment, or a movie “for mature audiences only” is commonly understood as meaning one that is exceptionally dirty. One notices that not only the secular press but even our Banner reviews rate and recommend shows in that way. (And one notices that Calvin College on November 2 presented the blasphemous “O God” as an educational movie and its Chimes of that date recommended the generally condemned as even more offensive, “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” as commendable humor—“marvelous concoctions of quick-witted, devastating one-liners and imaginative visual humor.”) The obvious assumption is that adults can stomache and enjoy more offensive or dirty material than children can.

The Book of Hebrews tells us that this assumption is not the mark of maturity which it is today generally considered to be, but it is really an indication of immaturity. In the material world it is only the little child who is foolish enough to eat dirt; grownups know better than to do that. And the Bible points out that really grownup Christians “have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” They have sense enough not to eat moral and spiritual dirt.

When professing Christians share the prevailing insensitivity to these matters it is at least an indication of spiritual immaturity. The Bible in many places suggests an even more serious possibility. It is the possibility that instead of being “children” in the faith, the conduct of these sophisticated modern “Christians” is conclusively demonstrating that they are no Christians at all. Consider the warning of the Apostle Paul:

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking . . . For of this you can be sure. No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light . . . Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret (Ephesians 4:17–20; 5:3–12 NIV).