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Did Miley Miss the Mark?

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Have you ever been overtaken by a wild animal? If not, let me give you a quick snapshot of the time I was overtaken by three German Shepherds who didn't see me as a little kid, but more like a moving bag of doggie chow.

At first, you realize you're being watched. That's when your heart races faster and the little voice in your head becomes a scream that says "get the heck outta here!"

Then you realize you're being chased, but the worst realization is when you work out the physics in your head that your pursuer is going to catch you.

Then they caught me on my home porch - I almost made it. That's when the voice yelled "duck and cover." Fortunately I sustained minimal teeth marks because my big bro came out and raged against the canines.

Did you know that the Bible portrays falling into a sin or fault like being captured or overtaken by a wild animal? Check this out:

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are spiritual should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself (Galatians 6:1).

The word "overcome" is a word picture of someone being chased down and caught by a wrong attitude or action.

Would you say that Miley Cyrus was overtaken by a fault with her performance at the Teen Choice Awards? In my opinion...yes. That outfit/dance is not something I would put in the whole "honoring God" category - especially for a pre-teen role model who openly said to a fan, "I sing, dance and act for Jesus! ... Now that I think about it, I do everything for Jesus..."

What is interesting when stuff like this happens (i.e. big-time Christian hits big-time controversy) is that it usually reveals what kind of Christians we are.

What do I mean? Well, if you noticed, there have been three basic reactions to the Cyrus situation - and I believe only one of them honors God.

The first is a 'whole lotta judging' going on. You know - 'How could she?' and "I don't think she's really a Christian' and much more superiority-sounding "blah blah blah."

Jesus made a clear ruling on this one:

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults- unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor (Matthew 7:1-5).

In other words, whatever standard you're using on Miley will be used on you by God Himself...and I'm pretty sure you and I don't need that in our lives.

The second response I've seen is "So what? Isn't she free to dance and express herself?" Except for that part in the Bible that says this:

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

This basic command sets the guidelines for a Christian's behavior and I'm just not seeing a basic pole dance as an offering of worship to God. Plus, for those who might be tempted to downplay this situation and blur the line between the life that God has called us to and what today's culture approves of, we have this principle to consider:

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter (Isaiah 5:20).

So what's the third response? Let's go back to the first passage of Scripture we looked at:

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are spiritual should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself (Galatians 6:1).

The bottom line is that those who are "spiritual"- those who are living a life that's pleasing to God through the Holy Spirit - should "gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path."

What does that mean for this situation? Well, if your life is right with God, then pray for Miley Cyrus. Ask God to send some "spiritual" people into her life to help her figure out how to use her gigantic platform to honor God and not follow the typical downward spiral of most girls that find stardom at a young age.

And remember the warning as well:

"And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself."

I'm not personally tempted to find a skimpy outfit and perform a similar dance on worldwide television - but I am tempted every day to disregard the clear teachings of the Bible for personal gain.

Aren't you?

The word 'sin' means to miss the mark, and I know I often miss the mark, but that shouldn't keep me from picking myself up and trying, in God's power, to do better next time.

So watch out for the wild animals and help those who are on the ground bleeding right now.

Take an informal poll with your friends to see if they thought Miley's actions were appropriate or not, then discuss the difference between judging and helping people see their choices in the light of Jesus' teachings about a better way to live life. For help with this, check out Greg Stier's blog post about judging. Ask your friends if they think it's fair that Miley's public statements about her faith in Jesus influence how people react to her choices?

Pray for an opportunity to talk about how one day we will all be judged and the only way to be prepared is by trusting Christ for salvation.

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:15-16).

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people.

It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, "You must remove the evil person from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? (1 Peter 4:17).