If I Think Wrong, I’ll Do Wrong: Keeping Your Mind Renewed
A Bi-weekly singles column by Ashley Peterson
“I want to be like Nicki Minaj when I grow up,” said Sheila, a precocious 15-year-old with a face piercing beneath her bottom lip on the right side. I sat in my chair at the front of the room listening to this beautiful teenaged girl who was slouched in her seat with light pink streaks of hair in her bangs, and a matching ponytail hanging midway down her back. Her smooth mocha skin, slanted dark brown eyes, and radiant smile complemented by a perfectly straight set of teeth, make her really stand out.
Sheila is one of the “cool girls” who “only comes to church because her grandmother makes her,” she tells me every chance she gets. I always respond, “Well, Ms. Sheila, I hope one day you’ll have the personal desire to come.” But consistently, the feisty teen, who has a hard exterior but is really sweet underneath it all, acts like she is tortured by the teen girls Bible study class every Thursday.
But last week, she decided she wanted to be the center of attention and have a little fun by offering up a shocking answer when I asked, “What women of the Bible might you want to be like?”
Nicki Minaj clearly wasn’t the answer I was expecting to receive!
“You probably don’t even know who Nicki Minaj is Sister Peterson, do you?” Sheila laughed sarcastically. Immediately, more than half the students in the small windowless room cackled along with her. Certain segments of the class of about 20 students high-fived each other, appearing pleased that one of their peers had managed to stump the “lame” Bible class teacher.
And they were right. I was lost.
But one of the other young women, 26, assisting me, knew exactly who Sheila was talking about. She spouted off Nicki Minaj facts at the speed of light and had a captive audience. Then she told the teens, “But Nicki Minaj is not a proper role model for you. She glorifies sex, money, homosexuality, and many things that go against God.”
I was so thankful she was there to help out, but I certainly went home and did my homework after that. I now know that Nicki Minaj, real name Onika Tanya Maraj, is a female rapper with a hyper-sexualized image, who uses some pretty objectionable language in her rhymes, and explores X-rated themes. She is signed to rapper Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money label and is very famous.
It didn’t take much looking to discover that a lot of women, young and old, who are greatly influenced by pop culture, want to be like Nicki Minaj. The superstar rapper seems to have it all by the world’s standards: beauty, money, fame, power, confidence, and admiration of millions of fans the world over.
But you and I, especially as saved single sisters, have to be careful not to get too engrossed in pop culture.
I know I do!
I am selective about what I take in, because all that talk about sex, sexiness, money, men, and vanity… child, I can’t do it. It brings my thinking too low and God wants me to keep my thoughts elevated according to Colossians 3:2 NIV that tells me, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
No good can come of igniting lustful, fleshly, and worldly desires. Instead, we need to obey Philippians 4:8 that says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
I’m sure some of my other single ladies can agree with one of my personal rules to live by, which says, “If I start thinking wrong, I’m going to start doing wrong and I cannot afford to do that, so I keep my mind renewed.”
Some of my friends tease me and tell me I need to “keep up with the times.” But if that means indulging in activities and entertainment that will arouse lustful desires in me, no thanks!
Living the single, saved, and satisfied life is all about following the formula the Bible prescribes, and modeling my lifestyle after righteous women and men, and the principles outlined in the word of God.
Last I checked, Nicki Minaj wasn’t in there.
If you find her, please let me know.
In the meantime, I want to leave all my single sisters with this scripture from Romans 12:2 in The Message Bible interpretation. It says:
Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Tell me, how do you handle pop culture influences so that you can keep your heart and mind pure?
*This article was written with consent from the subject and the subject's legal guardian. Her name has been changed for the purpose of this article
Ashley Peterson is a staff writer for EEW Magazine. Her goal is to discuss current issues related to single women and help them lead a single, saved, and satisfied like the way God intends. Email her at ashley.peterson@eewmagazine.com.
30 Comments
Reader Comments (30)
Great article, Ashley! I know a frew single sisters who could learn a lot from the you shared here. Definitely passing this along.
You found me, pegged me, and then taught me something. If I think wrong, I'm going to do wrong! That is my new motto!
I seriously should not try to type while feeding my little one...let me try this again.
Great article, Ashley! I know a few single sisters who could learn a lot from the wisdom you shared here. Definitely passing this along!
Now, that's better! LOL!!
Wow! I'm so honored that you all are reading and enjoying this. Thanks for the feedback and discussion and sorry I'm late responding. I messed around and got sick before Thanksgiving and have been flat on my back until today! smh I had the flu and it was awful. I'm drinking lots of fluids and trying to get my strength back up. This gave me a lift to see all of you connecting with this article. This is only my second one so far and to see you embracing what I feel moved by God to share is a real blessing. I would respond to each and every comment individually, but I'm still a little lightheaded. @Lakeisha, thank you for encouraging me!! I love ALL your articles!!
the thing is GOD never changes, it was sin in 700 bC its still sin today, it doesnt matter what the times. And the penalty is still the same, I think we REALLY need to LET kids know not only about the things we cannot do but why and the REsULTs. Last I checked HELL was still hot. And without trying to coax and convince ppl need to know there's some stuff you just SHOULDNT do. It doesnt matter if you dont get a new house or car, preachers think you make deals with GOD well if you do this I wont do that. DONT do it b/c it will kill you. I dont have to explain to my kids or beat myself over the head for a substitute God is enough. END.