Flee Immorality

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 5:3 NASB

L. M. Clymer was president of the Holiday Inn hotel chain when the corporate board made a decision to invest $25 million in a gambling casino in Atlantic City. As a committed Christian, he had protested the decision to invest in the gambling industry but was overruled. As a result of the decision, Clymer resigned his position as president of the company, being unwilling to compromise his moral and spiritual convictions.

Godly men and women cannot be content in the presence of wickedness. Some would say to Mr. Clymer, “You can’t help what the board decides. Besides, you’re not gambling; you’re not doing anything wrong.” But the apostle Paul told the Roman Christians that God’s judgment is upon those who not only sin themselves but give approval to others who sin (Romans 1:32).

If our failure to speak out against wickedness can in any way be interpreted as approval of the practice, then we are guilty as well. Look around—is there sin surrounding you to which you have grown accustomed? Are you willing to take a stand regardless of the cost?

A voice of dissent unheard speaks as loud as any shout of approval.