Talent and character are two words I wish to explore with the younger generation as well as those who have been taken captive by not understanding how talent can draw the gullible away from character.
I recently had a brief encounter with a very sharp teenager who was a bit miffed when I questioned the morals of a famous pop star she admired. “You’re judging,” came the reply. I have been well aware that what used to be called holiness is now called legalism. I have witnessed this decline over the years.
It soon dawned on me that talent trumps morality in the eyes of the young and even those who are more mature in their spiritual growth. Like an animal suffocating in quicksand, so we can be sucked into the mire of looks, fashion, riches, and the talent of a young pop star while disregarding their character. The enemy has lured us into believing what the world admires.
Who cares if they are promoting, via the stage or social media platforms, sexual ethics that mock biblical truth? Who cares if they dress immodestly and use foul language as long as they are talented? Who cares if they make sexual gestures in front of thousands of adoring fans who are too young to discern right from wrong, as long as they can hit the high notes? Who cares if they are sleeping around, just hit my eyes and ears with talent.
There are people who have talent, but no character, and people who have character, and no talent, and those who have both. No one ever talked about the great carpentry skills of Jesus. Other comments made their way into the public square that highlighted His character, not His talent. “This man speaks with authority and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28). “Never a man spoke like this man” (John 7:46). Pilate said he could find no fault in Jesus (John 19:4).
We are living in a time when we are drawn to a person’s talent, disregarding their character. Character can be smothered under a great voice or acting skills and those who follow these stars soon take on the character of their idols and before long Christ is in the rearview mirror, disappearing as quickly as the sexual revolution accelerates its agenda.
“Evil companions corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
My point is not to run the bus over pop stars or Hollywood idols. These people have all been made in the image and likeness of God and should be respected from that standpoint alone. But when their character is in direct opposition to that of Christ Jesus, then we must not be afraid to take a stand, no matter how talented they are.
I am not angry with these pop stars but saddened that they are owned by producers, directors, and managers who are making a killing by marketing them as slaves on the auction block of the stage, which is extremely seductive. Most of them have very troubling lives and often admit to alcohol and drug abuse along with deep depression. Jealousy rages among them as social media stirs the pot to keep the press happy with the latest dirt in this world of idol worship.
They must keep the fans happy and the way to do that is to take more clothes off at the concerts, use four-letter words, and promote the sexual revolution. They appear free but they are trapped, and their adoring crowds will soon be trapped as well. The web they have woven begins to choke the life out of them. However, the only thing the audience sees is what is promoted: wealth, fame, fortune, good looks, and sexual freedom. John 10:10 says all these are lies from the enemy who has come to steal, kill, and destroy and who, as of this moment, is having a field day. Christ has come that we might have life and have it in abundance.
When we find ourselves defending those who promote immorality because they have great talent, we have officially crossed over into idol worship and will soon embrace what our idol promotes. Psalm 115:8 says, “Those who make them (idols), are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” Jesus has a better idea when He said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).