In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32); the son, having left his father to venture into the pleasures of the world, finally came to his senses and returned to his father and family. The thing that awakened him was the disgusting realization that he actually craved and ate pig food. He reached that point of “normalcy” after having descended through worldly pleasures considered to be harmless, thrilling gratification. At last he saw them for what they really were: a comforting deception that catered to self-centeredness.

I bring this story to mind because it appears to be a widespread happening in our Christian churches today; especially in America. Though not physically leaving the church behind, it seems as though many professed Christians have unconsciously and spiritually left the kingdom to pursue and munch on what they consider to be harmless, lighthearted world offerings.

Comforted by having professed faith in Jesus, they have given themselves permission to eat what unbelievers eat. Unashamedly, they gorge themselves on themes served by soap operas, prime time TV, and theatre movies: fornication, adultery, revenge, jealousy, greed, violence, vulgar language, etc. Magazines, video games, and music presenting the same kind of fare are also devoured.

Clearly it should be seen that that such a menu is contrary to the Christian lifestyle. It is unhealthy and injurious to the body temple. To think otherwise is to want to be deceived. And indeed a deceptive spell has been cast over them by the evil one; a spell that’s designed to influence the Christian to feed the old nature so as to weaken and even kill the new nature.

That couldn’t happen if Scripture were adhered to instead of merely read or heard. God’s Word speaks of staying vigilant in righteousness so as not to be deceived. Professed Christians caught up in the kind of entertainment mentioned above need to stop making excuses. Instead, self-examination with the help of the Spirit should be undertaken. Then, if truly open to divine guidance, I’ve no doubt that they, like the prodigal son, would come to realize and be repulsed by the fact that they have been conditioned to enjoy as normal, the disgusting taste of pig food.