“I Was Born This Way”

And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.  Hear instruction and be wise and do not neglect it.  Blessed is the one who listens to me … Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death. Prov 8:32-36

Lady Gaga’s most recent hit, which reached no. 1 on the sales charts, captures current popular moral sentiment.  Gaga’s assessment of our condition is spot on, however, her moral conclusion (and encouragement) is quite unbiblical and wrong. Gaga’s lyrics:

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir
“There’s nothin wrong with lovin who you are”
She said, “’cause he made you perfect, babe”
“So hold your head up girl and you’ll go far,
Listen to me when I say”

I’m beautiful in my way
‘Cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way
Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you’re set
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way

Ooo there ain’t no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
…
Don’t be a drag – just be a queen
Don’t be a drag – just be a queen
Don’t be a drag – just be a queen
Don’t be!
…
Whether you’re broke or evergreen
You’re black, white, beige, chola descent
You’re lebanese, you’re orient
Whether life’s disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
‘Cause baby you were born this way
No matter gay, straight, or bi,
Lesbian, transgendered life
I’m on the right track baby
I was born to survive
…
I was born this way hey!…

Lady Gaga captures popular American moral sentiment.  While sounding cutting edge rock-n-roll, Gaga’s moral message is mundane popular moral sentiment: look to yourself and be true to what you find.  Walt Disney movies often pound the theme of believing in yourself and never losing sight of your dreams.  There is good in believing in yourself and your aspirations, to a point.  Follows our pop culture cue and runs full speed past that point and never looks back.

Lady Gaga celebrates the way we’re born, whether it’s our race, sexual orientation or gender identity.  According to her, if you follow the way you were born, you’re on the right track.  If you were born a bisexual drag queen, you’re on the right track because you were born that way and God doesn’t make mistakes … according to Ms. Gaga.  I wonder whether she feels the same about pedophiles, sadists, bigamists, and misanthropes.  Regardless, her message is quite familiar: trust yourself and how you feel, particularly in matters of sexuality.

Lady Gaga’s moral conclusion is even more errant than her wardrobe. The wisest man reported to have lived instructed that “He who trusts in himself is a fool …”  (Prov. 28:26).  Gag is correct that we are born a particular way.  The Bible is quite clear that we’re born into a fallen state of rebellion.  From cover to cover, the Bible makes very clear that our internal moral compass does not naturally steer in a “good” direction.  To the contrary, our natural paths is straight to Hell.  Jesus Christ clearly explained to Nicodemus that we are not to rely upon they way we are born:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

John 3:3-6.  Contrary to Gaga, we were not born “on the right track.”  The track Gaga celebrates, the track of our natural desires in the flesh, is the track to God’s condemnation. Gaga praises the way of death.  We are born in the flesh, but if we are to enjoy eternal life with God, we must be born again in the Spirit.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  

Galatians 5:16-23.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

Ephesians 2:3-5.  We should pray that God will fully open Lady Gaga’s eyes and convict her heart that the way she was born is not the way, the truth or the life, and that The Way is Jesus Christ.

Trust in the Lord and walk in His ways.  Eat from His table and drink from His cup. Praise Him and follow Him.