On a Sunday night, June 10, 2018, famed Hollywood actor Robert De Niro walked up to a microphone during the 72nd Tony Awards ceremony and used the vilest language possible against the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. There was no logical reason for De Niro to use such shameful words. His speech was more of a reflection of his own classless, dark, and godless soul, more than anything else. Apparently Mr. De Niro cannot articulate a decent thought without a script given to him to repeat. The Tony Awards ceremony was not the first time the boorish behavior of De Niro was put on display. In January, before introducing Meryl Streep at the National Board of Review awards event, De Niro used profanity in reference to Mr. Trump whom he has also called a “fool,” a “baby,” and a “mutt.” De Niro has said he would like to punch President Trump. Gratuitous profanity often leads to physical violence.
In his assault on the President Trump, De Niro is not alone. Bill Maher is literally hoping for another recession because a crashing economy might hurt the president’s chance for re-election. “Sorry if that hurts people,” Maher told his audience, “but it’s either root for a recession or you lose your democracy.” It is easy for a millionaire who would not be hurt by a recession to which misery upon millions because of his own political biases.
Both of these comments came about a week after the so called comedian Samantha Bee trashed Ivanka Trump for posting a picture on her social media accounts of her and her beautiful child embracing. What Samantha Bee called Ivanka is so vile, even the major fake news media outlets would not say the word but referenced it by the first letter.
What Robert De Niro, Bill Maher, and Samantha Bee have in common with their entire ilk, is a desire to signal their own virtue. If you are a conservative, or a voter for President Trump, then you are a bigot, a racist, a white supremacist, a Nazi, a homophobe, a xenophobe, a misogynist, a crumb, or a deplorable. And what are they? Virtuous!
The Bible says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). De Niro, Maher, and Bee represent the ways of death.
There is the death of culture. When people use profanity as a subsite for conversation, when they support behavior which is against nature, they are sloughing their way to Gomorrah.
There is the death of civility. Course words produce a powerful negative reaction. “A gentile answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (NIV, Prov. 15:1).
There is the death of common sense. It is foolish for a nation not to have a border. Nations are established by Divine design. God has made all the nations, “that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands” (NIV, Acts 17:26).
It is foolish for people to destroy the family, and use words that are intrinsically meaningless and contradictory for aberrant behavior.
It is counterproductive to rail against good leaders who seek peace and prosperity for their people. Those who promote that which is illogical are seeking to make themselves out to be virtuous, but they make a vile mockery of the term.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Isa. 5:20-23).
Rather than curse the president, pray for him, and for all who are in authority. This is the will of God. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
“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).
There is true virtue, as defined and set forth in the Bible, the Word of God, but so many have yet to find godly virtue. So they signal their own perversions, and make a vice out of their own virtue signaling. The end is death. There is a cultural death, a spiritual death, and then, eternal death. The only hope is found in repentance, confession, and a return to righteousness which is only found in Jesus Christ the Lord.
