Nothing should be off limits

It has been said that there are two things that you don't talk about in mixed company: religion and politics.  You can talk about relationships, you can gossip incessantly, and you can crack foul jokes.  But nothing ruins a social get together like someone with an opinion, right?

But what can be said and taught when the body of Christ meets together for regular worship and Bible study?  Once we get past all the "God bless you, brother!" and "Great to see you! How's your family?" comments, do we stay in church-speak mode or do we truly seek to address kingdom issues?  There was movie I once saw (can't remember the name of it) where one of the characters would whisper certain words that were either taboo or super serious.  This specific character knew a friend who was sick with cancer, so whenever she discussed her friend's illness she would whisper the "c word" instead of saying it out loud.

There's simply too much whispering going on in God's church today.  The divorce rate is no different for believers than non-believers, the majority of men in America regularly view pornography, believers are busy fudging the numbers on tax returns, married men and women are daily crossing the line in the work place when it comes to how much they flirt and mingle with members of the opposite sex, etc.  Yet topics like these often receive no more than a passing glance at best from men of God who have been entrusted to boldly proclaim the truth of God.  The Bible is very clear and outspoken about issues such as sexual immorality and finances, yet these passages seem to be frequently bifurcated (unless of course you're talking about tithing!).  What gives?

Perhaps it's because many in today's church culture have become overly concerned with not offending people so that they can maintain comfortable numbers in their pews.  "Leave the issues to the realm of social media and the news; we're not going to get caught up in all of that."  Funny thing is, Jesus never let the culture dictate what He believed God's people needed to hear.  It can be tough and even uncomfortable to address sensitive issues when we gather together as the body of Christ, but if we don't talk about these kinds of things then who will speak of them?  And how can the body of Christ be the pure and spotless bride she is called to be if we ignore God's word in areas of holiness and purity?