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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I was excited to take my teenagers to a family-oriented movie that had gotten great reviews. I was appalled at the subject matter and embarrassed my kids by getting up halfway through and leaving. My kids are mad at me now because I embarrassed them. I’m more concerned that they weren’t embarrassed by the content of the movie. How can kids be pure when feeding on trash? – A.M.

A: We live in the most permissive society since pagan times. Entertainment outlets scream sensual messages. “If it feels good, do it” has become a national motto. Yet, if you talk with people who have come to Christ out of deep sin, they’ll tell you of their regret and torment. They’ll tell you they wish they had never fallen into such deep sin. Purity is probably the least appreciated of all the Christian virtues.

Christian books tell of men and women who committed terrible crimes or were obsessed with sensual pleasure, leading them into lawlessness. We rejoice with them that Christ has redeemed and forgiven them, but the best testimony is never to have fallen into such sin in the first place.

The psalmist asked and answered an age-old question: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4, NKJV).

When we feed on sensual things and evil acts and invite such entertainment into our lives, we invite the deeds of darkness. We must feed on the things of God and not the things of the world. By the power of the Lord, we can ask Him to purify our hearts and minds, to sweep away the worldly desires that crowd in around us, even inviting them in. We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the sinless one who died for us.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.