The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics flaunted transgenderism and celebrated sexual perversion in a display that was lewd and, paradoxically, reminiscent of The Last Supper. The reaction was quick and widespread. Some responded in outrage, some called for a boycott of the Olympics, and some demanded apologies from those responsible. Christians quickly responded and continue to the seek the best response to the shameful tableau. What should characterize a Christian response to disgraceful and displays?

First, men acting as women and promoting vile immorality is wicked. No country, organization or individual should celebrate depravity. The tragic irony of the Paris Olympics’ opening is the producers choice to honor the most egregious desecration of humanity during the prelude to a series of games exhibiting the pinnacle of human potential. The celebration of depraved biological delusion has no place alongside the exhibition of the ability, discipline and skill of the world’s most talented athletes. The bawdy display distracts from those who spent their entire lives in grueling training to reach the heights of their chosen sport. The performers ought to be ashamed of themselves for making the Olympics about them and not about the people who earned the right to be a part of the Olympic games.

Second, Christians should not be surprised when unsaved people act in godless ways. The Olympics games are not sponsored by Christian organizations to highlight the ability of Christian athletes. The Olympics are secular competitions sponsored by unsaved individuals for the entertainment of the lost. Some of the thousands of organizers, hosts, coaches, and athletes associated with the Olympics are Christians. However, Christians make up a small a minority of the total number of people involved. The Olympics have never been about Christian values. Christians should not be surprised by anti-Christian imagery appearing at non-Christian events. Americans are not surprised to find Satanic imagery at a heavy metal concert or to discover immodestly dressed women dancing provocatively during the halftime show of a football game. Nor should anyone be surprised that unsaved people would use an international forum to preach to millions of people their message of flagrant perversion.

Third, Christians should not be surprised by the ungodly acting in ungodly ways, but they should denounce the celebration of homosexuality and transgenderism as a great evil. The event promoted behaviors which God calls abominable, which are contrary to God’s commands, and which pervert God’s design for humanity. The Olympic opening has provided Christians with another opportunity to proclaim God’s design for mankind, marriage and sex.

Fourth, Christians need to be clear about the shamefulness and sinfulness of the abominable display, but they also must remember that the most active promoters of the most wicked, God-hating, humanity-destroying lifestyles are not the enemy. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against . . . spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) The perpetrators of this perverse pageant are also victims. They are slaves bound in sin under Satanic dominion. Compassion must be displayed to those involved. The truth must be spoken and love must always characterize the declaration of truth. (Ephesians 4:15) Because the enemy is not fleshly, the weapons Christians are to employ are not fleshly. (2 Corinthians 10:4) Christians are commanded to conquer evil with good. (Romans 12:21) Hatred, name calling, and lies have no place in the Christian response to this event.

Finally, the Bible gives clear direction to Christians about how to respond when they and their Savior are mocked. Christians are not commanded to respond to scorn with outrage. Christians are commanded to, “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness,” (1 Timothy 2:2) and to count themselves blessed because they know every slight will be repaid with abundant reward in Heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

Christians must remember God will judge all those who hate Him, His Son, and His children (Revelation 18:3-10) If the event was intended to be a mockery of Christianity or of Jesus- and those responsible for the display have denied the charge- then, unless they repent, all involved will be held accountable by God for their scorn of His Son and His children. The vulgar display will not go unpunished. God will vindicate the glory of His Son.

In the meantime, Christians must proclaim the message of Jesus. (John 15:27) The only hope for the lost world is salvation. The true problem with the world is not debauched sexuality. The true problem is mankind’s bondage to sin. The salvation of the lost is the only solution to this gross deformity of humanity currently masquerading as freedom, inclusiveness and love. This travesty ought to revive the Christian’s passion to proclaim the gospel to everyone because Christian’s recognize the only hope for the world is in the gospel. The Christian must remember the ultimate aim is not a moral world in which Biblical marriage is upheld, unborn lives are protected, church attendance is high and people are kind to each other. The Christian aim is the rescue of sinners from eternal hell to the eternal praise of God. The only way this will be accomplished is through the faithful preaching of the gospel. (Romans 1:16; 10:14-15) The most effective response to this shameful spectacle is the message of salvation from sin through faith in Jesus. Furthermore, the Second Epistle of Peter specifically defines how believers ought to live in a world hostile to Christians, Christ and Christianity. The right response to the world’s evil disdain is a life of quiet submission to authorities, faithfulness in good works, and obedience to God.

Christians ought to be deeply grieved by the flaunting of wickedness on such a massive scale. Christians ought to remain steadfast in their commitment to Biblical truth. Christians ought always to remember the greatest need of the world is not proper morals or more religion, but salvation from sin by Jesus. So Christians must respond to the 2024 Olympics’ opening the same way Christian’s were commanded to respond to scorn and depravity in first century Rome. Hate sin; endure persecution; preach the gospel; and do good to all men.