From the very beginning, Satan has drawn mankind into sin by deceiving us about the severity of stepping out of God's bounds. Concerning the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Eve faithfully recited her rule of law for that crafty serpent at their first encounter: " 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.' "

"You surely shall not die!," the serpent shot back.

This was a blatant lie made all the more effective because it seemed to be true on the outset. When she ate the fruit, Eve did not drop dead. The truth was somewhat less tangible, but much more devastating. She and Adam suffered banishment from God's presence. That day their spirits were separated from harmony with God and their mortal bodies began the long march of decay. That day they died.

Today the same old trick works. Satan cannot erase every trace of sin's consequences, but with a wink and a nudge he can fool us into thinking they are not as extensive as they truly are. Investing ourselves in sin always begins with a casual dismissal of things God takes very seriously. One of the first steps toward softening our perception of things is in our language. There are several words I can think of which take the edge off of certain subjects. Activists of the homosexual agenda speak of "gay rights," supporters of abortion are "pro-choice," and all around us people are "having affairs."

 "Being Gay" and "Having Affairs"

The usages of these terms started innocently enough. They began to be used in a time when the things they stand in for were offensive to polite conversation. As we all know, "gay" originally meant nothing more than "carefree," "happy," or "bright and showy." As a synonym for "carefree" it came to be used to describe uninhibited behavior. Over time, this developed a sexual connotation, but it was not until about the 1950s that it came to refer exclusively to homosexuals. So you see, describing people as "gay" or "straight" does still bear an element of judgment. One is uninhibited, the other is respectable. In the same way, "having an affair" still bears some negative connotation, but for the most part, it is used to inject a sense of glamour and excitement into something universally seen as illicit. While these terms do not completely conceal the negativity of what they identify, the stigmas have been . softened, shaded with ambiguity. What was begun for the sake of propriety is often now used to introduce these shameful things as harmless. Adultery and homosexuality are gross violations of God's order for creation and human society. That is why they were capital crimes under the Law of Moses (Lev. 20:10, 13).

One of the foundational commands of the nation of Israel was a ban on adultery (Exo. 20:14) because it destroys the home, the pillar of civilization. Adultery causes financial collapse and emotional tragedy that is bound to destructively manifest itself from one generation to the next (see David, House of). Committing adultery is self-inflicted destruction (Prov. 5:7-14), a willful act of dishonor and defilement (Heb. 13:4). But "having an affair" presents adultery as a liberating act of self-affirmation, something more like a force of fate or nature that simply happens to someone. It has come to represent an outlet of release for every desperate woman bound to the horrible fate of having become a housewife. (Oh, banish the thought!)

Homosexuality is given an infamous introduction in the Word of God with the story of God's destruction of Sodom, where rampant homosexual lust was the mob's choice expression of the bedrock of moral decline they had reached (Gen. 19). In Romans chapter one the Apostle Paul explains that this defiance of the order of nature is the result of defiance toward the One who ordered it (v.24-27). Homosexuality is evaluated by Christ's Law as lawless, rebellious, ungodly, and sinful (1 Tim. 1:9-10). It is a depraved, indecent behavior, begun in the darkness beyond God's light-"in the closet," as it were. Against this truth, the term "gay" has been capitalized and hoisted high, with rainbows and sunshine as its mascots. It identifies the homosexual as the embodiment of happiness, self-awareness, and liberation.

These words have become banners of defiance for the rights of their practitioners to invade the public square in order to demand special privileges without a peep of protest or criticism from the majority. They will not accept mere silence. They demand applause and endowment. I do not mean to be so abrasive as to demand a ban on such wording completely. There are times when using these words is appropriate for the sake of tact. However, I do suggest that we be aware that these have become apologetic titles for movements seeking to not only excuse, but glorify and expand gross immoralities that have been condemned by God in the most serious terms from the very beginning. Therefore I believe that more often than not we ought to make an effort to identify "affairs" and "gayness" as adultery and homosexuality. These are harsh terms and they ought to be. We and our neighbors need to be reminded that these things are unpleasant. We ought to feel uncomfortable when addressing such subjects!

 "Pro-Choice"

Then there is the matter of supporters of abortion calling themselves "Pro-Choice." There is no sort of innocence behind this being put to use. It is a political and moral dodge, and of all things, our attention should not be diverted from the termination of life in the womb. Here, even abortion is an ambiguous term. Abortion of what? A developing life! The Lord has said to His servant, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jer. 1:5). His hand is there taking part in the formation of each new creation (cf. Isa. 44:24). We all fundamentally know this to be true. In fact, we officially acknowledge it! The laws of our land protect the rights of the unborn child. A fetus has rights of inheritance. An obstetrician may be held legally responsible if a fetus dies while under his care. How can a non-living thing have rights, and how can someone be held accountable for killing what wasn't alive? The term "pro-choice" removes the child from consideration altogether. In this politically correct jargon it is entirely the mother's prerogative how she will deal with this growth within her, which is treated as nothing more than a tumor or no different than a sexually transmitted disease.  Sure, abortion is a choice. Every sin is a choice. All sin produces pain and death. Abortion brings it directly.

These issues of the day are not merely political talking points, and don't let their labels fool you into treating them as such. Adultery, homosexuality, abortion . these are the age-old sins that destroy civilizations. They are the fruits of Herod, Sodom, and Molech. The day they become common to a people, that day they shall surely die.