Show Agenda
- Featured Presentation: How the SI Swimsuit Edition Made Me Wiser
- Write His Answer Christian Writer’s Conferences (Colorado, Pennsylvania)
Featured Presentation
You can find the full blog post on this topic at haroldarnold.com/swimsuit
A few weeks ago, the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition arrived in my mailbox. A beautiful, scantily lady adorned the front of the magazine. There was definitely a part of me that wanted to open it and scan through the photos. But, there was another voice. It waited for me to answer a single question, “What does looking mean to you?” There was my dilemma. Which voice do I heed? So, for a few seconds, I just stared at the cover. Uncertain.
Only in retrospect, however, did I realize four choices that I made in that twenty second period. And, I think these four decisions give us clues for being wise in all of life’s decisions.
Decision #1: Do I believe that there is anything inherently wrong with a guy looking at women in very revealing bikinis? My Answer: No
Decision #2: Is the Swimsuit issue really glorified and socially-acceptable pornography? My Answer: Weak No
Decision #3: Does it cast women as sex objects? My Answer: Philosophically, Yes.
Decision #4: Would I look through this magazine in my wife’s presence? My Answer: NO NO NO<
In less than 20 seconds all of this (and probably more) raced through my mind. Do I open it or not?
In the end, I just could not ignore the red flags that went off when I thought about my wife. So, I tossed the magazine in the recycling bin and went on my way.
But, in retrospect, I think these four decision criteria is a useful filter in many of the big and small decisions that we make. Honestly, ask yourself these four questions when you face your test:
- Is this inherently wrong?
- Is this a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
- Does it create a moral dilemma?
- Would this disrespect or disappoint someone who is important to me?
This simple filter will show you the red flags that help you avoid some costly mistakes. If you can give the right answer for these four questions you probably are making a wise decision.
Are there other decision criteria that should be added?
Look forward to hearing other folk’s thoughts about the SI Swimsuit issue too.
Shout Out Corner!
Faye Harris – We are praying for you during this difficult season
Check out the blog post HERE to read more about this.
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