FROM THE PREACHER'S VIEW POINT Vol. 17, April 17, 1994 Bulletin
Prom night is just around the corner and many young people are looking forward to it. Moms and dads fall into different categories when it comes to prom night. Some are ignorant of what takes place at the prom and therefore remain indifferent about the matter. Some moms and dads want their children to be popular and accepted, and this means that their children must attend the prom. After all, the children of the most outstanding citizens in the area go to this activity.
Some people have just enough religion about them to take a small stand against the prom. They are not enthused about the event and would like for their children to stay away from it. Due to their weakness they do not really dig in and take a stand. There are very few members of the church of Christ that come out and take a stand against this evil. If you do not believe this, just keep your eyes and ears open and see who goes and who does not go. But someone is quick to say: "What is wrong with the prom?" I am ready to respond with a Bible answer. Before I do, may I ask you this question? Are you really interested in what the Bible has to say on this subject? If not, then do not tell me that you are a Christian. Christians care about what the Bible says on every theme.
Prom night is promiscuity night in most cases. It is a night when high school students sow some of their wild oats. It is a night when drugs are used: and the leading ones are whiskey and beer. It is a night of dancing, wild driving, fondling, parking and petting. It is a night when many young ladies become pregnant across the land. It is a night when young people are killed in accidents by the dozens. It is a night when accidents will injure some young people for life, and will take the lives of many innocent older people because of car wrecks.
Many arguments are made for the prom by some parents and many children. Some have said: WE JUST WANT TO GO AND GET OUR PICTURE TAKEN. Well, if this is all that is going to take place, why not go to some photo place and get the picture taken? The prom is not the only place to get a picture taken. This is a flimsy argument. It is a no good argument. Some say: WE ARE JUST GOING TO OBSERVE. Would parents and children argue this about going to the honky-tonk or bar? While it is true that there is a difference in the prom and a bar or honky-tonk, it is also true that there are many similarities and Christian parents and young people should consider this. Drinking goes with honky-tonks and bars, and drinking goes with the prom. It may be true that some are against this but the atmosphere at the prom sets the stage for such activity. There is dancing at the night clubs and there is dancing at the prom. The same kind of music they have at the bars and night clubs is the same kind of music that they have at the prom. The bars and night clubs appeal to the fleshly side of man and so does the prom. Who would argue that the present proms make one a better Christian and more like Christ? I could make many other arguments like these but such is not necessary. Come on moms, dads, and young people: face the facts truly. Stop trying to hoodwink yourself and others.
Elders that will not speak out against the proms are not God's elders. Preachers that will not speak out against the proms, are not God's preachers. Parents that will not speak out against the proms, are not God's parents.
I will leave you with these verses. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of the sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (Ps. 1:1-2). "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good'' (Rom. 12:9). "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matt. 6:13). "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Wherefore came out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:14-18), "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11).
I love our young people enough to give them warning, do you? I love our young people enough to try and keep them morally pure, do you? I love them enough to try and keep them from making some of the saddest mistakes of their life, do you?
---Malcolm Hill---