While watching The Voice on NBC I saw the preview for Justin Bieber’s upcoming single “Boyfriend.” In a 30 second preview, our students were bombarded with messages about what it means to date. His simple phrase, “If I was your boyfriend,” accompanied by hands touching his body and sexually whispering in girls ears sends a VERY CLEAR message.

It’s time to go to work. While it would be IMPOSSIBLE to address every element of pop-culture that opposes the gospel, starting with poster-boy Justin Bieber is easy. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 is a beautiful way of conveying how pop-culture detracts from our sanctification, our process of becoming holy. It states, “ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.”

As Student Pastors, we must help students place everything they do within the process of their sanctification. We need to get them questioning, “Is this making me more holy, set apart for God?” “Does this song, movie, relationship, or action set me apart for God?” “Am I in control of my body or am I letting outside influences impact how I control my body?”

We are fighting an uphill battle, but it’s a battle that must be fought. However, the more fun you can make pointing out how ridiculous pop-culture is, the better. I.e. “I’m Elmo and I know it,” a spoof of “I’m sexy and I know it” by LMFAO.

And that’s all I have to say about that…

Texas native, Texas Tech Red Raider, M.Div. at Truett Seminary, husband to Ashley, father to Ava, Student Pastor at LifePoint Church in Plano, Tx, table tennis (ping-pong) extraordinaire, addicted to coffee. For anything else…you’ll just have to ask.