I was working in the yard some time ago when I heard the distant but distinctive rumble of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Sure enough, seconds later a new bike came grumbling by, loud and shiny. Astride the vehicle sat a middle-aged man, decked out head to toe in “biker garb” – square-toed boots; jeans with black leather chaps; Harley T-shirt under a black leather vest; black “do-rag” beneath a black helmet; black riding gloves; black sunglasses; and quite a bit of attitude. Of course, it was 103 degrees in the shade, and everything on the man was new, clean, gleaming and…probably sweaty. I chuckled at the image. Here’s a regular guy (probably an accountant) trying so hard to look the part of the big, bad Bandito.

Images of Rebellion

I guess I expect some people—usually younger folks—to adopt some of the outward trappings of rebellion as they endure adolescence and attempt to assert their independence. And some of the stereotypes are fairly predictable and established. In my youth, the rebel was judged generally by the length of hair and the general appearance of sloppiness—dirty bell-bottoms; sandals; long sideburns, etc. On the other hand, there was also the snuff-dipping, goat-roping cowboy/redneck rebel. And those images still persist, though “bad” has taken on new portrayals in our day.

The “circus side-show freak” has become popular—tattoos everywhere; odds and ends of metal piercing every part of the body; gaping holes in the earlobes; multi-colored hair; tattered clothing, etc. And then there’s the most popular picture of rebellion today—the ghetto thug “gangsta rapper” with his baseball cap sideways; baggy jeans pulled down to the top of the thigh; oversized T-shirt that hangs to the knee; fifty gold chains ornamented with excessive “bling,” and $200 basketball shoes. Everything about those images scream rebellion.

As kids grow up, they invariably struggle to free themselves from the leadership of others, be it parents, teachers, or adults in general. “Bad” is often tantamount to independence and their public persona will reflect such.

Avoiding or Glorifying Evil – ?

It concerns me, however, that adults are increasingly adopting a similar mentality. While the biker image goes back to Marlon Brando and James Dean (long before Peter Fonda and Arthur Fonzarelli), today’s model adds the trappings of outlaw gangs, shaved heads and extensive tattoos. Such a persona seems more appealing in our day to the middle-aged than to the young.  Why is it that so many grown folks want to look bad, tough, mean, imposing, and rebellious?

I suspect that many of these Orange County Chopper junkies have gotten caught up in the fad of motorcycle culture, and that they are probably decent enough people in their day-to-day lives. I can appreciate that. After all, I’ve been described a time or two as a “redneck,” although I don’t live the intemperate, careless lifestyle of one. But does it not say something about our society, and about ourselves, that we are so caught up in glorifying what is generally associated with lawlessness and rebellion?

Vice or Virtue?

As adults, we should have long ago come to appreciate the import of our influence. Do we really want to be seen as “bad?” Are we so inundated with godlessness that we would rather give the appearance of vice than virtue? When did it become so reprehensible that we might actually appear “good?”

In 1 Thess.5:22, Paul wrote, “Abstain from every form of evil.” The word “form” can be translated “appearance; fashion; shape; sight.” In that context, Paul may be offering some specific instruction about inspired teaching (v.20), telling them to test what was taught, retain what was good, and avoid whatever appeared evil. On the other hand, this admonition may be a general caution about perception. In either case, the latter is advisable for a person trying to serve God.

Our influence is important. We’re not attracting anyone to God when our very appearance says were “bad.” How others see us does makes a difference. Ephesians 5:8 remind us that as children of light, we should walk as such. It’s hard to impress others with “goodness, righteousness, and truth” when our outward persona screams rebellion, aggression, and confrontation.

I may love bikes, but I don’t have to dress like a “Hell’s Angel.” I may be a country boy at heart, but I don’t have to come across like a rebellious redneck. I may love rock music, but I don’t have to imitate Alice Cooper. I may like the NBA, but I don’t have to look like a thug.  And while these “perceptions” may not quite equate to issues of immorality, dishonesty, and ungodliness, they are nonetheless significant for people who are trying to practice and promote goodness in this world. Isaiah warned his contemporaries about their perverted standards.  “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness…” (5:10).

While perception and reality may not be the same, when it comes to influence, the appearance of impropriety can be as devastating as the impropriety itself. Think about that…the next time you decide that it looks really cool to look really bad.