Scriptural Reference:
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissension's, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Galatians 5:19-21

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth."
1 Timothy 4:1-3

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:2

Reflection: They say the more things change the more they stay the same. Seems to be one of the most honest sayings ever stated when we look back on the history of the world. Thinking back to the days of Noah and what set in motion the events that lead to the flood; we can see the social norms. So many norms of the days were so free and liberal that women and children were vulnerable. The society had embraced a hedonistic and sexually indulgent lifestyle. People had no restraints as to what they did and wanted. We can see this self-indulgent urges even in the Pompeii society. Door to door male prostitutes were common.

Originally these two figures frozen in time were thought to be females, But recent DNA tests have found them to be both males. While what were once thought to be a family cluster with two children has also recently been discovered to be two males with two small infants. A disgusting case of sodomy. One of many Roman cultural practices that were acceptable at the time.

So we can how easily aggressive social norms in the past have had painful and devastating effects on the most vulnerable in society. Yet where are we today? Sadly we are not far from the days of old. We live, as the Chinese saying tells us, in interesting times. Where boys can be girls and girls can be boy. Where drug injecting rooms are acceptable yet other legal practices such as smoking and vaping are not acceptable. Where men poorly dressed as women can entertain children yet a parent can not enter a classroom without legal permission from the school board. Yes we live in degraded and retched time. Very similar to the days of Noah and the days of the Roman empire. When Galatians 5:19-21 tells us that the works of the flesh are deceitful and will drive a wedge between those who follow them and God. While 1 Timothy 4:1-3 we read what the world will be like when we are looking at the last or end of days. So many despicable and lecherous individuals who seek pleasure over morality. What can Christians do.

Christians need to remember what the Bible teaches us. In Romans 12:2 we are called to not to conform to the world. Not to blindly accept the social norms that the herd or society would push on us. We need to stand firm on our Christian moral foundation. Building our life based on our faith in difference to the world. We need to remember that we are citizens of a future kingdom and inheritors of a glorious life. To accept the social norms of the world will not only diminish the affect of our witness to others.

Yes, the world is degrading back to an amoral past that corrupted the souls and salvation of many; yet as Christians we do not need to follow and fall into the pit of deception. We can avoid the pit by "testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" and doing what is pleasing to God.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We live in difficult times.
Our faith is tested,
Our witness is rejected.

Heavenly Father,
We pray the Holy Spirit will,
Guide us on life's road,
Comfort us in painful times.

Heavenly Father,
We pray these things,
In your Sons name we pray,
And praise His Holy name.
Amen