In the beginning, there existed a perfect proximity between the ultimate reality and mankind until the sin of disobedience made it wider and invincible. The “good book” blames Adam for this unfortunate happening. This caused a change in the earlier mindset and promise God had for human life. In those times, man could see God physically and have a feel of his wholeness extending to establishing covenants. The sin trend, however, took a different dimension, the form of murder, as in the case of Cain and Abel presented in the Bible.
Humanity thought these happenings will continue to be the order of the day, but the story is entirely different in our contemporary era. Although, there are lot of things which happened both in the Old and New Testaments that go contrary to the expectations of God for human life and even till this day. However, among the numerous deeds that are considered as sinful acts in Biblical context, sexual immorality is trending among Ghanaians, particularly the youths, among all races, and religious practitioners in Ghana.
“Fornication” is becoming a stress reliever for the youth. Meanwhile, fornication and adultery must be something the youth must flee from, according to Biblical evidence in 1 Corinthians 6:18(RSV) “Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral MAN sin against his own body”. With this caution, I wonder how its execution has become so easy among the contemporary Ghanaian youth. Gone were the days when fornication was engulfed with lot of taboos and superstitious beliefs, helping to scare off the youth from such acts including puberty rites. However, thanks to technology, a “blessing and a curse”, the moral conscience of our people keeps degenerating.
Where from all these diabolic acts? Acts which were considered abominable have all of a sudden gained roots in our hearts. Have we forgotten what the Holy Book says about the human body representing the temple of God? All the religions in the world particularly the three major ones in Ghana; Christianity, Islamic and Traditional religious doctrines are against fornication. Meanwhile, every Ghanaian belongs to one of the aforementioned religious denominations. Does it mean we no longer give reverence to the moralities of our religious affiliations?
A well known physician Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states; “To every action, there’s equal and opposite reaction”. With just a click, the whole world will be at one’s finger tips. Easy access to the internet makes our youth abuse it negatively.
The watching of pornography which triggers fornication has been a very common practice, even among ‘religious people’. The youth vault these pornography pictures and videos and are thereby led to engage in sexual immoralities. Aside, the ladies cannot be left out: with regards to what they wear. The seductive nature of the dress grants guys a free peep show in between their thigh to the extent that even the most concentrated sermon listener gets confused about as to whether the pastor actually said we’re to pay 1/5 or 1/10 on tithe. Also, religious people are becoming more canal in every passing day.
What we must do to keep us spiritual and grow in maturity are rarely practiced. Reading the Holy Scriptures that helps to strengthen us and make us flee from sin is not done by the youth. The Ghanaian youth go to church with smart phones without the hard-copy Bible claiming they’ve downloaded soft copies of it on their devices. Meanwhile, this same smart phones contain pornographic materials saved in the phone’s gallery safely locked with codes. Ask yourself, whom are the youth deceiving? Our media houses in Ghana particularly the Television stations are the worst of all.
Telenovelas containing sexual scenes are shown in broad day light. With these sexual scenes, what do you want our people to emulate? Our musical lyrics are becoming profane and sexually related as days go by. There are countless profane song lyrics released by Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and some notable artistes, meanwhile, ‘religious people’ continue to listen to such worldly related songs and not forgetting the female artistes. Those who are suppose to serve as role models are all questionable. Therefore, where else can we find mentors and role models in the Ghanaian society? The moral standard is falling each and every passing day.
God’s will is for your holiness, your sanctification, and your abstinence from sexual immorality. God wants you to know how to possess your own body in holiness and honour, and not to become inflamed with lust (1 Thess 4:3–5). Jesus Christ can help you with every sinful and addictive behaviour. His words are freely provided in the Bible. There is a way of escape for all. The Apostle Paul revealed, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”( 1 Cor 10:12 NKJV ).
Our youth must uphold a high moral standard as our traditions and customs demand in relation to their dressing. Likewise, our contemporary musicians must talk about issues that are social friendly devoid of sexual immoralities. Again, to curb this growing trend, the youth must stick to the words embodied in the Holy Scriptures that will serve as a measuring rod in their lifestyle. For God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but even in times of temptations, he will also provide an escape route that you may be able to evade such times.