[Originally Written April 2002]
Can you believe it? Another school year coming to a close and another fun-filled summer on the horizon. I remember when I was in school how exciting it was to get the summer off. As a teen, I looked forward to sleeping late, taking it easy, working to make some spending money, hangin’ with my friends, playing ball, and other fun activities. How exciting it was to be taking the last semester of the school year. There was always a rumble about parties and activities. A few were just good clean fun at school, but most were disguises to allow teens to do ungodly things. At this point, let me confess that I was not perfect, and I was influenced by my classmates. I went to some parties but discovered that they were not the place for me. I felt uncomfortable in that environment, and I got out of there. Looking back, I’m glad I left those places. However, there were times that I attended school functions that I otherwise should not have attended, and I wish that I had stuck to my principles and stayed away from them. I knew better.
Many of you are looking forward to the summer vacation and I think you deserve a good, clean fun vacation from school. However, there are many activities that can and will distract the Christian teens before school is out. Girls and boys alike begin to cruise around in less clothing. School trips to theme parks will have boys and girls wearing next to nothing. It will seem as if everyone is wearing clothing that is too short, too tight, too loose, and or too sheer. More parties will be on the calendar. Some will be announced; others will be by word of mouth. They will go into the late hours; there may be a keg, booze or punch that is spiked. Some might even boast of having drugs. Others may boast of having ecstasy and the so-called “date rape” drug. Some of these gatherings will have loud, vulgar music with lyrics compelling teens to be rebellious and just plain bad. Most, if not all, will have dancing to arouse the opposite sex, and many times it is in complete darkness. Some parties will boast of various rooms in the house with improper things taking place. In fact, Hollywood has created several movies that seem to promote the prom or other teen parties as a time to dance, drink, and lose your virginity, and such like.
Some of these activities will be advertised as innocent; however, there will be an opportunity to partake in ungodly activities. I know what you are thinking, and I’ve heard it said many times: “Yeah, I know they will be doing that [ungodly] thing but I won’t do it and therefore it is okay for me to go.” Anyone for a trip to Israel or Afghanistan? I doubt that any of us would go to Afghanistan during the heat of battle. Common sense prevails. No one wants to go and die because they got stuck in the crossfire of a battle. So with that logic, why would someone attend an activity that would submit them to a crossfire of spiritual temptation that could cause spiritual death? It is not logical to do so. Do you think that you are invulnerable to temptation? First Timothy 4:16 says, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” Ephesians 6:16 says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” First Thessalonians 5:22 exhorts to “abstain from all appearance of evil.”
I know that some of you will not heed the warnings of God’s Word, so why should I expect you to listen to the plea of this article. Some of you will still attend these parties and even the prom, which is not “all that.” Try to find an alternate activity with your Christian brethren, date, or a good friend that will not lower your standards or cause you to give up godly principles. You can still dress formal, eat at the finest restaurant in town, ride in a limo, see a decent movie, listen to decent entertaining music, dream of the future, talk with your friends and still have a fun evening that would not displease God. Impress upon your brethren the need for a prom alternative or a banquet for the teens.
May God help you in your godly endeavors as you strive to draw nearer to God and further from “the edge” of ungodliness. Finally, consider the wisdom of Exodus 23:2, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” How will God hear you answer the question: ”Are you going to the party?”
