The Grammys: Are You Surprised?

I consume a regular stream of political news and commentary. I begin my mornings by listening to “The Briefing” with Albert Mohler. I then turn my attention to “Morning Wire” by the Daily Wire and then will listen to a few different political commentors depending on the day. I also pay attention to what people are talking about on social media and I’ve discovered we tend to talk about the things we’re told we should talk about and often we do so not having carefully considered our arguments. That’s what I find helpful about Mohler’s podcast and about Samuel Sey with “Slow to Write”…they carefully consider the matters and then speak.
 
I am a Christian and am a Pastor. I want to speak to the recent Grammys performance and the outrage that many have expressed.
 
First, why are we surprised by Hollywood’s celebration of the satanic? We live in an increasingly secularized age. Those who subscribe to absolute truth as revealed in Scripture are derided as “bigots” and “uneducated.” We are mocked for our belief in the absolute. The overtures toward Satan—regardless of how overt and “in your face” they were—are simply the fruit and not the root of the problem at hand. People were created to worship the Infinite One and when we deny him his rightful place, we will worship the created. So, dear Christian, why are you surprised that sinners acted sinfully?
 
Second, if you believe that a celebrity is the most influential voice in your child’s life, you may need to consider if you’ve abdicated your God-given responsibility (Deut. 6.4-9). Parent, you, and you alone, have the God-given responsibility to be the primary disciple-maker in the lives of your children—not the world, schools, work, or even the Church. You are it! If you won’t disciple your children, someone will, and you may not like what they are being taught. Even when your children receive discipleship at church, it’s only a supplement for what happens at home. So, how are you discipling your children and in what are you discipling your children? Any easy way to disciple anyone is this: Together, read the Word, explain the Word, pray the Word, and live the Word.
 
Third, know God is not slow concerning his promises. Peter tells us as much in his epistle: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Pt. 3.9). God will deal with those who attempt to make a mockery of him and worship the created instead of the Creator (Prov. 3.34-35; Jms. 4.6). God will deal with those who reject truth both publicly and privately. Pray for their salvation and redemption. He redeemed us from our empty way of life, and he can do the same for them (1 Pt. 1.18-19).
 
Finally, this is reminder to examine ourselves. Samuel Sey with “Slow to Write” pointed out that Satan is more deceptive when he’s working in the hearts and minds of members in a local church than on a stage at the Grammys.
 
Lord, keep us from sin—both intentional and unintentional (Ps. 19.13)—so that we may be a people who love you in all our ways (Mt. 22.37).
 
On the Journey,
KT