Being a Christian on the Real World is full of the same challenges in the “real world”.
Shows such as MTV’s Real World and BET’s College Hill put young adults in a co-ed house, sparking sexual tension and inevitable conflict. Usually the cast sleeping arrangements on these two shows consist of 3 to a room one person of the opposite sex. Outside of the house they have to work together on special projects. They very seldom show the cast interacting with other people, unless they bring guests to the house. Roommates, co-workers and even best friends are bound to have a few cat-fights.
It’s extremely hard to avoid temptation and quarrels in a setting like this. Being a member of a sorority, I know first hand, how easy it is for people to start a simple conversation and then have it escalate into a petty argument. I love my sorors dearly, but we are all leaders and sometimes don’t value each other’s opinions as much as our own. When we’re mad, all the sisterhood’s ideals get thrown out the window. If some of those moments were caught on tape, I might be a bit embarrassed by my temper tantrums and ego trippin’. It is often said that women are natural gossip girls when more than one is in a room. True, True, True! I’d like to say that me and my sorors are different, but we are just as human as those reality t.v. show casts. We’ve seen it over and over again with Lauren Conrad and her ex-best friend Heidi Montag on The Hills (MTV).
The Bible tells us that quarrels are never a good thing. In Prov. 17: 14, quarrels are described as a breaching dam and we are encouraged to drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Simply agree to disagree and move on to the next topic. Proverbs 26:20 says, “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Who are we to judge Stephen (22 at taping) from Real World: Denver who was caught on camera cheating on his girlfriend (afterwards aired his attendance to a local church), and America’s Next Top Model: Cycle one's Bible flipping contestant, Robin Manning (accused of flashing Mr. Jay off camera, after refusing to pose nude). We all make choices that affect our future and the people that are associated with us. The only difference is that the world has a record of their sins to rewind and playback… forever.
The Bible teaches us to submit to God. James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?” When we truly desire to be Christ-like we understand that God will not put more on us than we can bear at any point during our life. Meditating this reminds us to hold our tongue. As true Christians we must do as 2 Timothy 2:24 tells us to do, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach not resentful. So the writer, presumably Paul, has charged us to lead by example.
We have seen people take extremely just stands for their faith, such as Shannon Stewart (24 at taping), who considers her self to be a devout Christian. Stewart refused to pose nude for a photo shoot on Cycle one of America’s Next Top Model. “Just trying to be Christ-like,” Anna Bradfield said, to defend her right not to pose nude during the first fashion shoot of Cycle two “If I show it [her body] to the whole world, what’s so special when I give it to [my husband]?” she questioned the panel. She was eliminated from the show that week.
So, maybe we need more strong believers to become billboards for the Lord. “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12)
Are you curious to know what the Bible say about the show producers and people who watch arguments and fights for the sake of entertainment? He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. (Prov. 17:19) Let God judge them, but try to encourage others to take the same just stand as a faithful Christian.
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