A few weeks ago, I was going through my nightly routine before bed (that’s how an OCD person survives - through routines). So there I was taking out my contacts, washing my face, and brushing my teeth when Heather says, “Oh, my goodness! You won’t imagine what commercial just came on the TV.”
Here is the commercial we saw…
We saw this commercial on ESPN around 11pm.
The ashleymadison.com mission statement is “Life is short. Have an affair.” Another commercial for this website (which is way too provocative for me to put on my blog) has a man and a woman being extremely physical and passionate with each other followed by the words, “This couple is married. But not to each other.” Their website has the “100% Guaranteed Ashley Madison Affair Guarantee” that says, “Have an affair to remember or we’ll give you your money back!”
I’m not sure what kind of emotions that stirs up inside of you - possible anger, sadness, or indifference. After thinking about it for a minute, my heart broke thinking about this company. Thinking about all the marriages that will be destroyed, thinking about all the families that will be ruined, thinking about all the children that will be hurt by mommy or daddy, and thinking about all the deep emotional scars that will impact so much more than the participants, my heart broke. It is enough to bring you to tears, isn’t it?
Here’s the deal: this is not an article written by some Christian who from his comfortable bubble of religion and church is pointing and screaming about how wrong and jacked up the world is today. This is not an article asking you to rant, picket, and protest outside this company’s offices or to boycott ESPN for showing this commercial. There are plenty of Christians that choose to be that “Bullhorn Guy” who stands outside of the world shouting how sinful and wrong the world is today. I do not find that strategy successful.
No, this is an article calling you to pray. Pray for the lost. Pray that God will rise up men and women in businesses and advertising that love him more than the almighty dollar. Pray that followers of God will start setting the trends in advertising, marketing, and business. And pray that when Christians do start setting the trends, it looks a lot different from today. We need world changers.
It’s important to know what is out in the world. It is what our kids are seeing. It is the messages they are hearing. Talk to your kids about this commercial. Use it as a teachable moment of how serious and dangerous that lifestyle could be. Don’t play hide and seek like little kids - you know, where they simply cover their eyes, thinking if they can’t see you, then you can’t see them. Face this problem.
It breaks my heart. Does it break yours?
Hey Brian!
You have a good message in your article. Its important to tell the world the beauty and love of Gods creation. I have the same believe as you in our Lord Jesus Christ.
My message in my blog ” Nature, Environment and Health ” is to tell the importance in life to make good decisions every day and have an open mind to experience the beauty.
You can visit my blog : erik k abrahamsen blog
or: tvndk.wordpress.com
Best wishes
Erik, Denmark
When this commercial came on, my first feelings were shocked then offended. I didn’t like that someone was telling my husband that married life is unfulfilling and to go have an affair. I didn’t like that someone was sending that message to my friends’ husbands and wives who I care about. I was offended that someone would suggest that this commercial is a true depiction of my marriage or my husband’s feelings about marriage. As a recipiant of the hurt is is caused when a marriage covenant is broken and an affair takes place, I cannot imagine that commercial being appealing. I think this is where the sadness and broken heart set in. This world is full of desperate people in lost marriages who don’t know Jesus. Sadly, they may see this commercial and find escape and TEMPORARY satisfaction.
As hard as it was to read and see again, thanks Brian for posting truth about our broken world and a reminder that we all need Jesus. He is the glue, the light, the way. He is the one who reconciles relationships and keeps His promises.
Speechless… Prayer, discussion… and example.
This totally just shocked me. I can’t believe anyone would think having an affair would bring any kind of good. I can relate to Heather…I’m a recipient of the pain that affairs/divorce bring and can’t see why anyone would want that. I’m definitely praying that we can set examples for others and that people in advertising/business will find God’s love. But the only way they can find it is through those that already know Him….this is our mission! To spread The Word…
this is completely shocking to me… where did morals go? when did marriage and faithfulness go old fashioned? if we can’t even stay faithful to our own spouse no wonder we go through the constant struggle of staying faithfull to God. being a high school student i see youth that are headed down this path every day. no one seems to value relationships any more instead a “good time”. where are we headed in the future? i hope we can do something to save the world from this nonsense. it really saddened me to see something like this anywhere…. especially national t.v.
bro, you rock. thanks for putting this out there.
it’s sad, but i think about it everyday. what am i doing to bring the kingdom to others? sure, my job is great and i do that, but i want more. unfortunately, whether it be in these commercials, business, politics, etc., we are waking up to a world that is further and further removed from Him. it’s not because it can’t be helped, but too many of us have bowed our knee to other things.
BUT…like in the days of Elijah, there is a remnant that hasn’t bowed their knee and i’m proud to know that you are one of those:)
no doubt, it’s time to pray:)
jaz
It makes me physically sick to see the promotion and encouragement of sin. We need prayer and action.