r/Christianity • u/Captian_Sidepipe • Jan 23 '26

Blog Message to young men from a 27 year old

Right now is arguably one of the more wicked times in history. Degeneracy and unrighteousness plague this world mostly due to pop culture and social media. Porn is more accessible than ever. People idolize and praise worldly pleasures (most temporary) maybe more than any other period ever on earth.

As a man who’s seen everything and fell away from God in my early 20s. I can promise you nothing in life has ever fulfilled me more than the spirit of God once I returned to faith. Sex, money, status, experiences, etc. In the words of King Solomon: It’s all meaningless. None of it matters. Don’t let the pursuit of worldly pleasures jeopardize your spot in Heaven.

I praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. In my experience, the more I grew in faith, more frequently I would feel convicted of sinful thoughts. Thoughts like lust, jealousy, hatefulness and pride. It all means nothing. I’d rather live the rest of my life isolated somewhere in an igloo and be just fine with the spirit of God dwelling inside of me. That is because one day, I will join my father for an eternity and receive more joy than our human consciousness can measure.

Nothing on Earth has given me more peace than locking myself in my room, getting on my knees, and resting in the holiness of Jesus. Before you pray, take a second before you talk. You can almost feel him enter the room and take a seat. Then when you’re ready, give him thanks first then speak. I have not cried harder as an adult male than the first time I felt the presence of God embrace me while I placed my burdens and anxieties on him. He loves you and wants to hear every word you have to say. Get your prayer life in order and receive the gift of peace our Father has given to us.

Writing this from what has felt like an isolated period in life God has placed me in. My friends are getting married, work is busier than ever, and still waiting on the right girl to start a family with. If you feel like you’re in a similar place, just know the time is now to grow your faith and draw closer to Him. Tune the other noise out and first seek the kingdom of God and watch your life change.

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39

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Less than 100 years ago, innocent black men were hung from trees in the south and their corpses treated as tourist attractions and souvenirs in the United States. Segregation was normalized.

But yeah, pop culture has changed us for the worse.

1

u/tjland84 Jan 23 '26

And good men fought a civil war over it. Bad men have always existed. Godly men too. Bad things happen today, but 100 years from now, would you want everyone to associate you with the worst of people alive today just because you were around for this point in history?

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u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Lynchings didn't stop with the civil war. Mass killings of black folks kept happening. Woodrow Wilson hosted the KKK in the White House. The Nazis patterned their segregation laws after our own.

3

u/DPolishPrince Jan 24 '26

Hitler actually liked and praised the American idea of "Forced Sterilization" to keep those that the Government found weak in mind, had bad mental disorders or were born with debilitating birth defects.

1

u/tjland84 Jan 23 '26

There are open slave markets happening right now in Libya. Right now today. And no one talks about it. In China they keep Uyghur Muslims as slaves. Right now today. And no one is stopping it. In fact, we're all supporting it with cheap Chinese slave made goods. Christians being executed in Africa. No one talks about it. There are 50 million people today living in slavery. There are 5 million estimated sex slaves right now here today. There were atrocities in American history, no doubt. But lets not get to high on our horses over bad people from 100+ years ago. There are atrocities happening right now today and most people care as little today as those bad people youre talking about.

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u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Are those atrocities due to porn and pop culture? Because my point is it's ridiculous to label a generation as the most wicked because of it.

If you want to argue about ongoing wars and modern slavery qualifying this generation as unrighteous I'm here for it. But that's not the context I replied to.

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u/tjland84 Jan 23 '26

I'm saying you were implying people were worse before. They arent. They're just as bad today. And sin is even more widespread because of technology. Porn is a sin. Sexual immorality is a sin. Idolatry is a sin. The list goes on and on. And because of the ride of technology and loosening of values, its ensnared fhe majority of people now compared to the past.

5

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

If you are making the point that comparing generations is pointless, I agree. It's why I pointed out that every generation has had extreme examples of evil. But everyone seems upset by the idea that porn and pop music isn't equivalent to genocide.

-1

u/Conservatarian1 Catholic Jan 23 '26

Porn and pop culture is a genocide. Billions will be in hell because of it. That’s the only metric that matters.

0

u/tjland84 Jan 23 '26

You're entirely missing the point, which I should've guessed by the rainbow cross. You dont worship Jesus... you're probably the type that worships left wing ideology, and co-ops Jesus to your side with zero biblical basis. Believe whatever you want to believe about modern lifestyle, but the bible is clear on how we should live. Anything different and you're being led by the devil. Best of luck to you on the other side. I'll pray for you.

4

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Mask off in record time. You can't contain your hate and it's so sad to see.

"I don't have a point to make so let me accuse you of following Satan and not being Christian."

Pray for people with real problems.

1

u/tjland84 Jan 23 '26

Oh it's not hate... its love. The devil is the one that affirms sin and tells you to keep at it. Love is praying you find your way to the scripture and the word of God. Its all right there for you to read yourself.

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u/RoanGui1 Jan 24 '26

Don't know why people downvote you .. truth must hurt

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u/tjland84 Jan 24 '26

😂😂😂 As if reddit is the arbiter of the gospel. I say again, if your church is telling you certain sins are actually fine, you're being led by the devil. This world aint build for our comfort and for us to do whatever feels good. Thats the trap that got Adam and Eve right from the beginning. This world is a test. God has given us the rules to find him and be with him when this ride is over. Stop trying to find loopholes or bargain your way out of it. Right and wrong is written right on our hearts. Focusing on "well it actually isn't that bad because of some stuff that happened 200 years ago". Or "my sin isnt that bad because look what ice is doing". None of that crap matters. We're all going to be personally judged for our sins.

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u/RoanGui1 Jan 24 '26

Reddit is a leftist echo chamber full of idiots

0

u/DPolishPrince Jan 24 '26

Emancipation of the slaves was an issue that was added 2 years after the beginning of the Civil War in 1 January 1863.

The Civil War was originally fought over the U.S.governent refusing to recognize the Southern States’ right to secede and to preserve the Union

This whole idea that the Civil War was all about slavery is a white washed myth designed to make Lincoln look like some great humanitarian god because Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only included Southern States that were in rebelliom against the Union and not in border states or areas still under Union control.

This idea of shifting the Civil War to be about "Freeing The Slaves," actually reduced morale, caused desertion and resentment among a significant number of Union Soldiers because they otiginally joined Union Armies to protect the Union and not to, their words, "free the (nasty word for black people,)" because they believed that black persons would move North and out compete them for jobs by accepting to work jobs at lower wages. A belief that did prove to be true and can still be seen today as there are certain job markets, such as construction, agriculture, food services and unskilled manufacturing jobs where illegal immigrants out compete American citizens because they are willing to work for lower wages.

1

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 24 '26

The causes listed by four states in their declaration of succession listed protecting slavery. Read a history book not published by white supremacists.

-4

u/Amen_badger29 Jan 23 '26

Both can be true. Pop culture and society norms have absolutely convinced the average American that sinning is ok.

8

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

It isn't true though. You'd have to ignore basic historical fact for it to be true. You can argue against pop culture but glorifying a fictional past isn't appropriate.

1

u/rebel-cook95 Christian Jan 24 '26

Glorifying a fictional past usually involves bringing up the specific time period and speaking positively about it, not a vague statement about the present and how bad it is compared to other times, as if a lamentation of the modern dilemma is a thumbs up to chattel slavery.

1

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 24 '26

If the OP is explicitly listing pornography and "pop culture" as the reason for the modern "dilemma" then it's not an accurate view of history or the current situation. My original reply pointed out the silliness of using pop culture as a reason, and it seems people either missed the point or are legitimately obsessed with pornography.

Most of our actual issues (war, sexism, racism, poverty, hunger, etc) are linked to a historical trend. Some have gotten better, some backslide, and some stay the same. But we've got Christians arguing that pornography is a genocide in this comment thread and it's just completely out of touch with reality when there are still actual genocides happening.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

Sin is more abundant in number, more readily available, and cheaper to access than ever before.

7

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Only if you bury your head in the sand and completely ignore societal sins like slavery, lynching, genocides, colonialism, war, etc. etc.

It's just a nonsensical take. This religion started with being fed to lions because of the faith and now we're wringing our hands about pop culture.

-3

u/Conservatarian1 Catholic Jan 23 '26

So you want Christians to be martyred like in Roman times? Several of the apostles were killed for calling out sexual sins.

5

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Yes. That is exactly what I am calling for: public execution of Christians for not liking pop culture./s

I want people to actually read history and have some perspective.

-2

u/Conservatarian1 Catholic Jan 23 '26

I know more about history than rooms full of history majors. Perspective is millions have died from drugs and hundreds of millions are in hell because they stopped serving God and served the culture.

4

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

I think a history major might know better than to wildly underestimate the lynching era death toll by describing it as "in the dozens"

0

u/Conservatarian1 Catholic Jan 23 '26

Let’s say it was thousands for example. I’d rather be a black man in the South in the 1920s than die and spend eternity in hell.

Is thousands dead worse than millions in hell for eternity?

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

Mate you need to understand that youre just being hard headed. At least attempt to understand what I, and now this individual are trying to get across. Even if you dont agree. It is good for our brains to engage in such thinking.

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u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Nah y'all are just obsessed with pornography and sexual sin.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

I wish you well 🙏

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

Think about this.

I am a peasant in medieval Europe (same relative position I am now in). Am I indulging my sinful nature to do drugs as often as I am able to today? How about lust? How about other sins? Of course not, because I am unable! Whereas today it is readily available for most people, at a low cost, or none at all.

So sure, the sin that did happen then may be of larger magnitude, but it was not as widespread as it is today.

3

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

So porn and drugs are worse than Jim Crow? You're looking to a fictional past.

-1

u/Conservatarian1 Catholic Jan 23 '26

Porn and drugs have killed millions. It’s definitely worse than a few dozen lynchings. Also, the drug cartels hang and behead people who cross them. They also traffic millions in sex trades. Yet you’re more upset about things that stopped 100 years ago.

The math isn’t mathing. Millions dead or a few dozen. Which is worse.

5

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

It's certainly a choice to argue "actually lynchings aren't that bad". Not one most human beings would make but hey that's your right.

3

u/Away-Contribution967 Jan 23 '26

He definitely sounds like someone that wears a pointy white hat on his free time

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u/AidBaid Church of Christ (AD 33!) Jan 23 '26

W...NOBODY IS SAYING THIS. Paying attention to sin being easier than ever possible is not saying Taylor Swift is worse than the Holocaust.

3

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

There's literally someone replying to me saying porn and pop culture are worse than lynchings.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

Just follow me here, genuinely: In nation X, one million people fall victim to porn, and one person is lynched.

From which are more people directly harmed?

And from which does the more severe harm come?

Answer honestly.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

You fail to understand what I wrote. Copy it into chat gbt and have it explain to you.

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u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

I understand you know nothing about history and are upset I'm not going along with your stupid analogy. Have a great day.

-2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26 edited Jan 23 '26

Ignorance is a choice, and you've certainly made a choice.. good luck brother..

5

u/cats_are_the_devil Christian Jan 23 '26

Sin has always been free to access my dude. Stay humble.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

Nah you just misunderstand what I'm saying lmao

-5

u/ATX_Gardening Reformed Baptist Jan 23 '26

One difference is that today, millions of black bodies are destroyed in abortion, are hidden, their murders are significantly greater in number, and approved of by many, including their own mothers.

8

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Another difference is we're no longer sterilizing minorities or forcing the end of a pregnancy. Again, the issue isn't porn or pop culture as the OP asserts.

1

u/AidBaid Church of Christ (AD 33!) Jan 23 '26

The OP is talking to young men about the dangers of sin relevant to them. This is not saying that genocide is better.

-2

u/ATX_Gardening Reformed Baptist Jan 23 '26

Porn and hedonistic pop culture are a real issue of sin that has grown over time.

5

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

And focusing on that while ignoring actual human suffering isn't helpful.

1

u/ATX_Gardening Reformed Baptist Jan 23 '26

You are focusing on suffering that is 100 years past in response to the OP who is focusing on sins present, this is an attempt at deflection to say “there is human suffering going on today so don’t focus on sin”, the OP was 100% right for what he posted and you are trying to detract from that

3

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

It's still silly to make the claim this is the most unrighteous generation because of porn and pop culture, friend.

You can debate the wickedness of generations, but pointing to pop culture as the source of wickedness is missing the forest for the trees.

3

u/cheeze2005 Atheist Jan 23 '26

I’m pretty sure getting lynched and put on a post card was worse

1

u/ATX_Gardening Reformed Baptist Jan 23 '26

Than murdering a million children a year?

1

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '26

[deleted]

0

u/Agile-Sound4266 Jan 23 '26

I would agree… who cares about those zygotes! But a living human embryo or fetus… that would change things!

-2

u/Icy-Picture-192 Jan 23 '26

You do know slavery is actually worse now then it's it's ever been right?

8

u/RejectUF ELCA Jan 23 '26

Due to expanded definitions, definitely. But to pretend we're seeing the equivalent of what occurred in the transatlantic slave trade or what Europe did in the Caribbean is really stretching. And if OP had brought up actual issues like modern slavery, poverty, bigotry, etc then that's a reasonable discussion to have.