Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

Ephesians 5:1-4

Dear God, I do not remember verse four. I’m sure I’ve read it before, but it kind of caught me off guard to hear Paul talking about obscene stories and coarse jokes. I guess I never imagined people sitting around and laughing from vulgarity in biblical times, but it makes sense that it would happen.

With a world so riddled with sexual assaults, human trafficking, etc., I’ve said for awhile that porn is the gateway drug that leads people into these activities, but maybe it’s a step back and it’s really the obscene stories and coarse jokes. Maybe it’s what we (and I’m including myself here) enjoy in the comedy shows we watch. It’s amazing how much humor in today’s comedies is derived from sexual topics, while shows from the 50’s and 60’s like I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke show are hysterical even today without going there.

Father, I probably take in too much that is not pure. It probably plants seeds in my heart that have the potential to find fertile soil and grow into something I shouldn’t let in. Help me to be mindful of this. Help me to be what I need to be for your glory and as part of my worship of you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen