Whatever our opinion of the Donald Trump candidacy, we must be careful not to flippantly dismiss his comments and actions in the recently surfaced “Access Hollywood” tape as just “locker room talk.” They must be categorically condemned.
Many have discussed its effect on women, but I want to talk to all the young men observing what has transpired and deliver a warning: That sort of locker room talk will get you killed.
Donald Trump must not only apologize for it (which he has), he must repent.
“Hillary is worse,” might be a reason to vote for him, but it will not serve him one bit when he stands before his Maker. And, at least for Christians, this should be the issue. We do not fear the death of the body; we fear the loss of our souls.
Donald Trump is a very successful businessman, winning or losing the election won’t change that. But as a man, he will have to deal with the bigger existential questions of life whatever the case.
There are temptations and struggles that come from the sort of power Trump has attained. The Scriptures are absolutely bold in proclaiming it. It is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, and here is an example of the sort of issues that plague them. I have no doubt Donald Trump’s success has an incredibly disarming effect on many beautiful women. Yet, he must resist all that and be a servant. This would be incredibly difficult for anyone in that position.
Difficult but not impossible — for “with God all things are possible.”
But engaging in the sort of behavior depicted in the video puts our souls at risk. Let us change locker rooms if we must. There are times when we absolutely should leave friendships, jobs, or environments that are detrimental to our lives.
Let us apply it here and flee the sexual immorality of “the locker room” — and love our neighbor as ourselves.
It is no good for us to respect those we believe deserve respect. That is not virtue. It actually shows you only respect yourself, for you make the judgment on who deserves respect and who does not. It’s a kind of idolatry of self that ultimately betrays the first commandment.
We’ve all heard young men talk this way. Those who say, “Oh, we’re just fooling around; she’s not marriage material.” Well, if this is you, you are not only harming the young woman; you are gambling with your very life.
Christian virtue respects others because we are all made in the image of God. We are all walking statues that testify of the Living God, our Maker. How then are we to defile one another in such a way?
Respecting others is respecting God. Defiling others, in this way or in any other way, is to defile the God Whose image we bear.
So, young men, let me encourage you to reject the world’s “boys will be boys” motif. Do not accept the pretentious claims of so-called scientists who say that you can’t help it, you can’t control yourself.
You absolutely can. You must.
As Joseph did before Potiphar’s wife: run! Do not flirt with the sexual temptations that will absolutely assail you at every turn in this day and age. Take them seriously and reject them.
The Spirit of the Age will surely discourage and make fun of you, but stand firm, whatever the cost. God will be with you and honor your faithfulness as he did Joseph’s.
The same is true of Donald Trump. It will do him no good to win the presidency, even the whole world, and fail to address the underlying issue of sin that plagues him, as it does all of us.
The path to winning the election is through the ballot box; the path to salvation, through the cross.