It has been called the “Disney Effect.” It refers to a young woman who was a teen star in Disney movies, or on TV’s Disney Channel, and then, getting older, wants to prove to the world she is not the nice, clean cut person she was portrayed to be in those shows. Some of the ways they go about doing this is through drug use, or racy images posted on the Internet, or pornography, or some other lewd or immoral activity. The most recent one to engage in this activity is Miley Cyrus. At the recent MTV Video Music Awards, as one commentary said, “She worked hard to bag the sleaze award of the night.” After Cyrus offered a performance that simulated acts of immorality, almost everyone commenting afterward spoke of how terrible and offensive it was. Kelly Ogle, a news reporter for an Oklahoma City television station, perhaps summarized it all best when he said, “It was so obvious what she was trying to do last night, it wasn't clever or subtle in any way, she acted like a spoiled brat, a ‘has been’ starved for attention.”
In reading of events like this, I wonder what is so horrible about being nice, decent, and moral? It is a deception of Satan to think such acts are acceptable ways of gaining attention. Where does it lead? What happens next to get attention? How much worse does it get to shock and generate buzz from others? Paul reminds us such attitudes and actions are sin based, and where sin leads. “Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more” (Eph. 4:17-19). As he said in Romans, sin is lawlessness that only leads to more lawlessness (Rom. 6:19).
What is the benefit of godliness? There is nothing to feel guilty about concerning past actions. There are no regrets about the negative influence you have had on others. There is the knowledge you have done what is right, no matter what anyone else may think or do. You have a lifestyle which will commend one to God in judgment, instead of one that can only bring condemnation. Paul told Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is a great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). Godliness enables us to enjoy the existence we have from God, the physical blessings He offers us, the relationships we cultivate, and so much more. Spiritually, we can have God’s peace, joy, strength, and help to live life as He intends.
It is very sad that there are actors and actresses, who can portray a role that is wholesome, but when sin has filled their hearts, they feel compelled to show the world nothing is further from the truth. This may be what the MTV generation wants, but not so for those who understand the goodness of God. Beauty and fame is fleeting, and for those who seek out the provocative to stay in the public’s eye, there will come a time when nothing will attract the attention they seek. What gives life meaning then? What do you look for beyond today? May Christ fill our hearts and minds with His good will, and our lives be lived in a way that, on the day of judgment, we have no guilt, no regrets, but the cleansing of Christ’s blood and a welcome into eternal life. “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised” (Prov. 31:30).
Robert
