The Bible's Bad Girls

I’ve run across some intriguing titles in the Christian book market: BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE, UNVEILING MARY MAGDALENE, REALLY BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE, and WOMAN OF SIN. I know that the original BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE is a very popular seller. And, no wonder! What a title!

Who would pick up the book, GOOD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE or PURE WOMAN?

Sad, isn’t it? We are drawn to the bad over the good. (Now, I think Mrs. Higgs’ titles—the first three—are brilliant. I also understand that her books teach righteousness. But I’m making a point here.) Why is it that we’re fascinated by vices, immorality, and faults?

This carries over to entertainment. Why are people willing to walk into clubs called “The Dragon’s Den,” “The Devil’s Throat,” and “Nero’s Lounge”? (I wonder if people would be similarly attracted to venues named “Godly Corner” and “Piety’s Paradise”?)

Why do people who genuinely love God watch movies where the actors curse, slash, commit all kinds of immorality, plan murders and other evil—all on the screen before them? Why do they watch oversexed music videos with likewise immoral lyrics?

Why are so many women hooked on sit-coms? Why do they read heavy-breathing romances?

Why is the pull towards evil so strong—even for true believers in Jesus Christ?

Consider these Bible verses:

            Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

            Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-25)

            I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

            If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).