I was having a "date night" with my 13-year-old daughter and we were shopping in a clothing store called Abercrombie & Fitch. While I was waiting for her to try on a baby blue sweater, I turned around and saw a life-size picture of a nude teenage boy, taken from behind!

I called the manager over and let him know that I was a good customer, but I thought the poster was obscene. The manager disagreed.

Then I discovered their catalog shows nude teenagers—college students—in bed together. As far as I was concerned, they were promoting premarital sex.

We did not buy the sweater. We left the store.

My daughter was hurt that she couldn't have the sweater she wanted, and she was probably embarrassed. I tried distracting her with a purse.

But later we talked about it, and I explained to her my responsibility to her as her father.

Upon further reflection, however, I don't know if I handled the whole situation as well as I could have.

Frankly, while I didn't yell at the manager, I think I erred on the side of being too confrontational. Because, 1) he probably has no choice as to whether he displays the ads, and 2) how can I expect a non-Christian to have Christian values?

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we can take a stand for our beliefs while still having a loving attitude. That is probably the greatest tension for Christians today.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to stand up for righteousness. But can we use the same tactics as those who promote anti-family values and events? How are we different from the world if we get down in a mud wrestling contest with them? Do we still have a message then?

And you know what? I have been in those wrestling matches—the public debates. But God has been teaching me that the law of love is going to have to guide us as we do battle with evil in the market place. In other words, we can't go around clobbering non-Christians for their foolishness. Non-Christians are going to be foolish.

Again, it isn't a question of standing by and doing nothing. However, we will never win the battle and convince people we are right if we don't have love. We must have hearts filled with the restorative love of Christ and plenty of grace and forgiveness for people who have failed.

I'm not promoting "Ozzie and Harriet." Our society does not need to go back to the "good old days." Our society needs to repent, to turn from sin and selfishness—and turn to God. To serve the Lord uncompromisingly with integrity, truth, and holiness. Practically speaking, that will mean drawing some lines in the sand. Boundaries that will protect our homes from evil.