The 2023 Grammy Awards Show

“…the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)

Singers Sam Smith and Kim Petras performed a song, “Unholy,” at the 2023 Grammy Awards show. The song is about adultery, not devil worship, but the performance bore a devilish theme. Some called it “evil,” “Satanic,” and “demonic.” Others were more indifferent. In any case, the performance did not speak well of the industry’s standards for appropriateness.

Many people may consider entertainment such as “Unholy” a harmless pushback against established religion and morals. To many, Satan is just a personification of that pushback and not an actual being. Yet Satan is not what people think he is, but what the Bible says he is.

Satan is an angel who rebelled against God and drew many angels with him. God stopped the rebellion and ejected all of them from heaven: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” (Isaiah 14:12) One day he and his angels will be cast into hell for eternity. The fire is already prepared for them: “…everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41)

Satan tempts people to sin: “…lest by some means the tempter have tempted you,” (1 Thessalonians 3:5) As this passage says, he uses practical means to do it. Entertainment is one means he uses. Jokes, for instance, are entertaining, but they can be sinful. If someone starts a dirty joke, do you let him tell it or do you say you’d rather not hear it? You may feel awkward if you stop him, but if you let him tell you the joke, you’ve taken in spiritual poison. If you’re a Christian, you also haven’t helped your testimony.

Lamentations 3:51 says, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart…” What you see and hear can affect your heart in a good or bad way. The entertainment world has long been a spiritual minefield of temptation, since many TV shows, movies, and music include sinful conduct in their presentations. What can we do?

First, we can take God’s Word seriously and obey it. “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:” (Psalm 101:3) That also includes ears, and it simply means don’t take in wicked information. If someone starts a dirty joke, politely decline. If a group is listening, walk away. Don’t worry about what they think. As for movies, TV shows, and music, ask yourself, “If Jesus were here (and if you know Him as Saviour, He IS there), would He enjoy watching or listening to this?” If He wouldn’t, neither should you.

Second, make your voice heard. The Federal Communications Commission received many complaints about the Grammy performance. If entertainment executives see that offensive programs are hurting their profits, they will take note.

Finally and most importantly, if you’re a Christian, look for opportunities to share Christ. God’s Word is “…quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,” (Hebrews 4:12) People need to hear it. God’s Word can affect people’s hearts for good far greater than man’s word can affect people’s hearts for evil. People have souls, no matter who they are. People can be reached with Jesus’ love and be saved.

As our passage says, Satan wants to devour people. Jesus wants to forgive and save people. Should you trust a fallen angel who never did anything for you, or God the Son, who died a brutal death for you? If you want to see how to have your sins forgiven and a home in heaven by receiving Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 2/15/2023

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822