Warning Labels That Are Needed

 “Warning Labels That Are Needed”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

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everal years ago, the Phillip-Morris company ran some TV ads saying they would no longer use billboards, T-shirts, cartoon characters, etc., to promote their tobacco products. This ad campaign was part of the multi-million dollar tobacco settlement they had reached with several states.

            Before this settlement, tobacco products carried labels that stated explicitly that these products contained the potential to cause cancer in the lungs, lips, gum, mouth, and throat. They could also produce cardiac problems and emphysema. The labels warned that these products could lead to premature births, underweight babies, and other health problems.

            Despite the warnings, people continued to use tobacco products. This is why some made a push for tobacco advertising to be stopped. It was ultimately an effort to keep all people from using tobacco products regardless of their age. The purpose of this article is not to relive the past but to consider the thought process in using warning labels and doing away with advertising harmful products. In considering these things, let us ask why people do not see the need for such warnings in other areas of life. If some recognize the need for warning labels on tobacco products and to hinder their advertising ....

What About In The Area Of Immodesty?

            Immodesty is a sin that is almost as universally accepted as lying. Yet, the Bible condemns immodesty (as well as lying) and has since the beginning. From the beginning, we see that man and woman were not clothed until “God ... clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). From then until now, God has demanded that people be dressed modestly. Nakedness is proper between a husband and wife in the marriage relationship (Gen. 2:25; Heb. 13:4). Yet, if people were able to recognize and stop tobacco advertising due to its power to persuade, why do they continue to use immodesty as a way to sell their products? The reason is that sex sells, and most are not willing to give up that source of revenue.

            The Bible condemns immodesty, stating that women ought to dress “in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” The NAS says “with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments” (I Tim. 2:9). Of course, one’s mind must first be correct, and then the dress will follow! Peter shows us that the proper way to dress begins with “the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (I Pet. 3:4). Though this command is addressed primarily to women, men must also dress modestly! God has no double standards (Acts 10:34; Eph. 6:9).

            If there are warning labels on tobacco products, then why not warnings concerning immodesty? I assure you that such warnings are already in place and found within the pages of Inspiration! As you view billboards, TV ads, magazine ads, and other media, notice carefully the use of immodestly dressed men and women selling products, and remember these stunts are used to get us to buy their products! If people understand the harm tobacco advertising has on the population, they should also see the harm that advertising with immodestly dressed people has on our society. It is a poor rule that doesn’t work all the time.

What About In The Area Of Drinking?

            Have you ever seen a true beer commercial? I doubt it. Any commercial for alcohol is going to show people having a good time at sophisticated parties or with “buddies” acting silly. Where are the ads showing the man in the gutter with his liquor bottle? Where are the ads showing the man who gets drunk and beats his wife? Or the ads showing the man who commits suicide or perhaps kills others after he has gotten drunk and wrecks his car into another on the road?

            Yes, some warn about not “drinking and driving.” Organizations like MADD, SADD, and others promote a message of not drinking excessively. Though the warnings are abundant, isn’t it interesting to note the type of ads that are used in the media? Just as with their use of immodestly dressed people, ads today slant the use of alcohol until people think that drinking is what all “adults” do. Is it any wonder we have so many teenage alcoholics today? They are imitating what they think “all adults” do! What ought to be evident to us is that the sin of immodesty and drinking often go hand-in-hand!

            Some try to soothe their consciences by saying they merely drank one drink, or only drink on “social occasions.” The truth is that consuming alcohol in any quantity is wrong in the sight of God. Peter said, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (I Pet. 4:1-4).

            In these sins mentioned, notice that Peter discusses some who were engaging in: “excess of wine” (drunkenness, Strong’s), “revellings” (carousal, letting loose, Strong’s), and “banquetings” (drinking parties, NKJ, NAS). Therefore, in whatever stage of drinking one might engage, from the “social drinker” to the falling-down drunk, Peter showed that it is sin, and in the same category as lasciviousness, lusts, abominable idolatries, and excess of riot!

            Let us realize how dangerous it is to drink alcohol and stay as far away from it as possible!

What About In The Area Of The Music Or Shows We Watch?

            In 1992, Doug Stone sang a song suggesting there needs to be warning labels on sad country songs. The reason he gave was because they made you feel worse when you were already sad. One line of the song was, “They warned me about cigarettes, whiskey, and beer. No one ever warned me about the music I hear...” While that was a cute line in the song, I suggest that a deeper meaning can be applied to those words. Consider what is on the radio, the TV, streaming shows, the computer, etc. Do you think our Lord would be watching some of the things we watch or listening to some of the songs we listen to? There are some songs with terrible language and TV shows with the same. No, this is not an indictment of every TV show or song, but it is clear that there are songs and shows unsuitable for public consumption. It seems that the passage of time only brings worse shows and lyrics. Many times, these shows and songs glamorize the very sins we have addressed in this article: immodesty, drinking, smoking, and foul language. There are songs and TV shows which glamorize murder, rape, and similar things, which I hope we understand are sins as well!

            Let us remember that Paul said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Thinking on proper things results in proper actions. Solomon said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). We must guard our hearts. It is a fact that some of the things that are broadcast are destroying the very thing we are trying to protect — our hearts and the hearts of our children, for whom we are responsible before God! How can we justify as “entertainment” what God condemns in real life?

Conclusion

            If people can see how ads on T-shirts and cartoon characters can be enticing to get someone (especially the young) to smoke cigarettes, why not be consistent and see the danger these other sins are presenting in the lives of our children as well? Lest I be misunderstood, I am not trying to lobby for some government body to do this. I don’t think that is needed. Instead, what is needed is a return to the principles laid out in the Bible and a return to common sense. Government is not the answer to our problems; Christ is! God’s word is truth (Jn. 17:17), and when we follow it, we will have the truth which makes us free (Jn. 8:32)!

            Let us return to a spiritual mindset, wanting to live closer to God. Let us realize that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world (Heb. 11:13) and have nothing to do with the devices of Satan that permeate society. (Read: II Cor. 6:17)