Almost ten years ago, Magic Johnson, a basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, retired from professional basketball. Why? He had tested positive for the HIV virus that leads to the deadly disease, AIDS! I still remember watching his news conference. Shock waves reverberated throughout the sports world, with many giving glowing tributes for Magic's courage in meeting his problem "with dignity and grace."
Not long after this shocking announcement, President George Bush appointed him to a national panel to examine a national problem--the AIDS disease. Soon, he began appearing on the late night talk show circuit. What message did Magic preach? Indeed, he had a message for our country's young people who looked to him as a role model. "Practice safe sex!!!!"
While I feel compassion and sorrow for Magic's condition, I cannot forget the facts of this case. How did Magic Johnson contact this virus? By his own admission, he was never at a loss for female companionship, and he doesn't know who gave him the virus! Now, he wants to take center stage and warn America's youth to avoid, by practicing "safe sex," being in the same circumstances. The advice was horrible then, and a decade later, it still is!
What does God say about practicing safe sex? "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." {Hebrews 13:4} "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." {1 Corinthians 6:18} According to the apostle Paul, such conduct will keep us out of the kingdom of heaven, "...nor fornicators. Nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards. Nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
What has resulted from a decade of following Magic's advice? The AIDS virus is now top priority with researchers who seek a cure. We have more babies born out of wedlock and more sexual disease. Why do we not listen to our Creator? As the result of lack of respect for God's commandments, abortion, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, adultery, living together, and open marriage are rampant. Sex, dear reader, is not the problem; it is the attitude held by young men and women. God gave us sexual desire, but He also gave us the only place--the marriage relationship--in which to practice "safe sex" if we wish to remain pleasing to Him!
What happened to Magic Johnson is tragic, and I'm thankful that, in his case, the disease has been treatable, and he is still here. I thought then, and I think now, that he needs to keep his advice to himself! God's message is the only "fool proof" message. Man will never come up with a better solution for the problem! Believe it!