Christian Teen Pics

Craziness! Teens partying/drinking (usually beer) and taking risqué pics of themselves and posting them all over the internet for the world to see is not new news (sad, but true). And at no point do I expect Christians to be perfect, but over the last several weeks I’ve stumbled across (and for the record it wasn’t that hard) many of these partying and/or racy pics that either feature “Christians” (at least according to their profiles or the fact that they've said they are) or are featured on a Christian’s page/profile. Since I only have so much space and you so much time/attention (take your pick), I cannot fully address this topic in a blog article but will address each of the two subjects (partying/drinking and sexually suggestive pics) with a few points.

Alcohol and Christian Teens:
To clarify, I am referring to pics (and behavior, whether pics are taken or not) that show teens partying with alcohol (regardless of what type of party it is).

1. Honoring the Law. Even if the Bible is not anti-drinking (though this is a sensitive conversation by itself), it is all about honoring the law and the last time I checked underage drinking is illegal. To even be around that practice makes you guilty by association (as my dad used to tell me growing up – a lesson which is a reflection of Biblical teaching and one I wish I had listened to at a younger age – if you don’t want people to think you’re doing something wrong, then don’t be around it).
2. Witness. “There’s nothing wrong with it if I’m not drinking. Plus, how will I witness to non-Christians if I don’t hang around with them.” Let’s go ahead and call this what it is – an EXCUSE (especially the second part)! Most Christians have about as much intention in witnessing to their intoxicated friends as the “legalize marijuana” people do smoking Pot for medicinal purposes. Not to mention the fact, what witness do you have left after being associated with illegal activity? I digress…

Suggestive Pics and Teens:
These pics are hard to define as they show up in many forms: posing in underwear/bathing suits/suggestive/revealing clothing (usually in a mirror or holding the camera away and posing for themselves), posing in suggestive positions or poses with friends, statues, props, people, etc., making sexually suggestive faces or gestures, girls acting romantic with other girls (and at times, guys with guys), etc.

1. “God gave it to me, why not use it/show it off”. First, as Christians we are NOT our own, you were bought at a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Second, is that WHY God gave it to you? Last I checked we were told not to be consumed in outward looks (not that it is unimportant), but instead drawing people’s attention to God, not our bodies (1 Peter 3:3-4). Third, your “showing it off” makes it difficult for viewers (especially guys) to fix their thoughts on things above (Col. 3). Be honest with your actions – you are intentionally tempting your fellow brothers/sisters (in Christ) to look and think inappropriately about YOU (and misleading Lost people about what it looks like to be a follower of the Christ Who saves).
2. These pics are seen by many more people than just intended audiences (facebook and MySpace safety features aren’t that good). And once you put them online, they are forever public. Vanessa Hudgens (HSM star) picture drama ring any bells? Nude pictures taken by her for a boyfriend (at 15 years old!!) are still making their way around the internet (4 years later).
3. Future Spouse. How thrilled is your husband (or wife) going to be knowing that their spouse took revealing and suggestive pics of themselves? Yes, you as a teenager are not married, but I think a little forward “one day” thinking would benefit you greatly… your body belongs to your future spouse (1 Cor. 7:4) not the world.
4. Sexually suggestive pics (posing alone or with others in suggestive manners) might be done in fun and with innocent intentions (“just being funny”), but as an outsider let me be blunt: I can’t tell if you’re just having fun or actually that promiscuous. Matter of fact, the only people who know what’s really going on in the pic are those who were there when it was taken. The rest of us (even if we think we know you) are left to guess if you’re just playing around or giving the world a sneak preview of what you’re really like outside the walls of the church. And if those that know you have to guess, it’s a pretty safe bet that those who don’t know you just assume your life is anything but God-honoring.

My intention is not to make you angry (though a reaction of any sort might be a start) or get you to be better at hiding said pics or behaviors. Instead it is to challenge you as teens to RISE ABOVE it! There is a myth that has been circulating for some time that “you are only young once” (and also in the form of “you’re young and stupid and going to make mistakes”) as if giving permission to be intentionally unwise in making decisions or ignoring the fact that consequences do not only attach themselves to those 21 and over. I recommend instead 2 Timothy 2:22:

But run away from the evil young people like to do. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts. (New Century Version)

Next blog: HOW to be a facebooker/myspacer with Godly-integrity and drive (or the parent of one)… (COMING SOONER THAN A WEEK, sorry for the long delay between the last post and this post, but because of its nature wanted to take my time writing it)

Until next time, that’s what “Christian Teen Pics” are all about Charlie Brown…