Dip Your Toes Into “Soft” Darkness

(Edited: February 20th, 2021) 

“Soft” porn. Not the complete thing, just a little bit. It’s harmless. 

I’m not a gossip, I’m a Christian lady… but did you hear about the reason why so and so isn’t coming to church anymore…

I don’t curse a lot. (stubs toe)…. ********************* 

It’s okay if I just sneak a peek at this adult book. If I see something I don’t like I’ll just set it down.

I know other Christians who watch this show, so it’s okay…right? 

Right? 

Today’s post is another convicting one, and ouch!

(Figuratively) No one is going to eat a cake full of poison if they are told immediately. But you can get a person to consume poison by their own will. A little tiny bit in each piece. What’s the harm, we think? It can’t be as bad as we think.

It’s true, about all of us.

First is our sight. It’s pleasing to the eyes.

We draw closer, and we smell the scent of a treat we want to partake in. We are tantalized by imagining how wonderful it would be to have a bite of our own.

Our mouth waters.

We search for a fork and decide it’s okay to have one bite.

It’s amazing. Perfect texture. Perfect taste. It’s now more than a bite of cake, it’s an experience. We crave more, and we can’t wait till the next time we do it again.

And everyone…we have just gone through the stages of temptation and sinning. The more it’s repeated the less temptation appears as a warning, and it becomes part of our daily life.

We don’t even question it anymore.

What once didn’t have any effect on us changed into our passion, obsession, and secret desire, almost immediately.

Unlike my example, there are a lot of things we know we shouldn’t partake in. Sometimes there are things, especially for new believers, people have to learn to give up because they didn’t know before. But a lot of things in this world are tempting.

Many are behaviors and choices that probably have haunted us for a while. Secrets we don’t want others to know.

Or choices we share only with others who support and do the same things. It feels better to do what we want when everyone around us finds no issue with it and supports it.

Tv shows, books, music, internet sites, drunkenness, you name it. The temptation is there, daily.

(NIV) Matthew 26:41, “”Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

“The flesh is weak.”

The flesh represents self. It represents our selfish desires and wants. Our pleasure sensors if you want. Mental, physical, emotional, and (yes,) perhaps spiritual.

We want things that will please us. We are faced with decisions to make choices and behaviors on whether or not we will follow through with what pleases us.

Or what pleases God.

Often, these are two VERY different things.

(NLT) Romans 8:08, “That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”

It’s not sin itself that has control over us. It’s the nature of sin.

Nature-meaning a world, and everything consisting of that world.

Sin is our pleasure. Doing what we want versus what God wants.

Lashing out at others and feeling justified by it.

Looking at nudity because it fulfills our want and crave.

Drinking to get drunk because it makes us feel good, and others do it.  

When we become absorbed in our wants, we become part of that world. It’s hard to break free because we are faced with the decision to choose to deny those wants, desires, and cravings. It’s not easy, especially the longer the sin has been part of our life. It’s not easy when everyone around us questions us giving it up.

(NIV) 1 Timothy 6:09, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

But God does promise to help us. Christ can get us through.

(NIV) 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

We will be rewarded for enduring.

(NIV) James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The nature of sin revolves around self, but the nature of God is very different than the flesh.

(NIV) Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” 

Christ and what He gives us is so much more than what this world has to offer. It’s stronger than our flesh. But the choice remains within us.

(NLT) Romans 12:09, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”

Pleasure is made in the moment. But the Spirit of God is formed for eternity.

May we cling to truth in trying times.

Just something to consider.

If you would like to learn about the atonement sacrifice, what Christ experienced on the cross, and how could a loving God kill His Son please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son (Does God Hate?)

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What is one thing God has helped you get through? 

Want to read more of my writing? Head over to my second blog, Peeking Beneath

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