Immoderate Indulgences in Modern Society, from a Christian Perspective (By Stella Son)

In Ephesians 5:18, it is written, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” This biblical verse encapsulates Christian morality and doctrine on living a righteous life. Yet, in today’s contemporary world, these foundations are crumbling: alcohol usage is rampant, the idolization of celebrities has become ever more popular, and attitudes towards sex work have become normalized, shifting into acceptance. Thus, it can be argued that behaviors once regarded as sins in a Christian sense —including drug use, alcohol consumption, and even gossiping—have become normalized, desensitized, and assuaged.

Alcohol consumption, formerly regarded with caution due to its potential to lead to moral degradation, has permeated many aspects of modern social life. From social functions to business events, alcohol consumption is not only tolerated but expected. As drinking has become an ubiquitous feature, seen as a lubricant for social interaction, what was once perceived as a temptation to be resisted has now been accommodated into cultural norms. Moreover, these concepts regarding the normalization of alcohol have challenged biblical moralities and teachings, blurring the standards between moderate consumption and immoderate indulgence.

Similarly, the idolization of celebrities and influencers has intensified with various social media platforms and networking websites, representing a contemporary provocation that resonates with biblical warnings. Mentioned in Exodus 20:3-5, God commands, "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." Unlike the set values of worshiping God and rejecting false idols, the curated and edited images on these daily life materials have created a sense of intimacy, eventually influencing individuals, along with the shifting societal norms and values.

Gossiping and backstabbing, too, have unfortunately become normalized throughout the years in many social and professional environments. As these behaviors undermine trust and integrity, going against biblical teachings, the apostle Paul instructs in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Along with this, Proverbs 16:28 further acknowledges the destructive behaviors, warning, "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Despite these exemplars alluded to in the Bible, gossiping has become a ubiquitous social phenomenon, augmented by the rapid promulgation of false information in social media platforms.

Furthermore, the normalization of these behaviors and actions, once considered sins by Christians, reflects the shift in societal values, standards, and cultural norms nowadays. Alcohol consumption, drug usage, gossiping, idolization, and even backstabbing were once generally condemned but now are celebrated and tolerated among the public. As these values and norms evolve, there is a crucial need for Christian disciples to adhere to their moral decisions guided by the Bible and Scripture, focusing on the emphasis on moderation, honesty, humility, love, grace, and integrity.