ASHLEY MADISON AND THE NATURE OF THE BEAST
Thirty-four million Ashley Madison Accounts, and the first two individuals to be very publically outed are very public Christians. Don't get me wrong, I believe if you're going to put yourself in the public eye, it's in your best interest to practice what you preach and keep your drawers clean. However, I don't believe it pure coincidence that Josh Duggar was the first to be publically touted as a member of the infamous website.
This may come as a shock to some, but Christians are sinners. The difference between us and the rest of the world is that we recognize it and desire change. When we accept Christ, we receive the Spirit Who we then trust to lead and guide us, and 'direct our paths' into that change. The goal then, should be to grow more Christ-like. It is a life long process and never reaches completion on this earth.
Every morning we get up and put our pants on like everyone else, but if we're really following Christ, our self interests should take a backseat to His will -- in Christian speak, we die to self. This dying must take place daily, and with much prayer, if we have any hope of walking the walk.
Next on the priority list is to feed the Spirit, which is done in many different ways, including but not limited to Scripture reading, church attendance and daily devotions.
The more you feed something, the stronger it gets.If we're feeding the spirit by focusing on the cross, the Savior, and the Word that is Christ, temptations become mere background noise in the din of life. There can indeed be victory and power in the cross, not by wearing it around our neck, but by focusing on the Bearer of it.
On the other hand, if the temptation is fed -- allowed to enter the mind, just for a moment, just for kicks, then allowed to linger longer, and longer, until it has grown into a beast so huge, appearing so mighty, it blocks the cross from view and the Savior that died on it -- sin is certain to be chosen now that the mind is sold out.
Christ has won the war, but Christians are instructed to battle everyday. Many treat Christianity as something that they are, rather than something that they do. They allow worldly cares to smother Christ out. That's why many end up in the same chains as the world: addiction to alcohol, drugs, porn, suffering from self-hatred, bitterness, misery, loneliness, guilt.
Like the prodigal son, our senses can be regained, we can be welcomed back into the fold, and receive forgiveness. But forgiveness does not free us from consequences. So light was shined in the darkness and now Josh Duggar, his family, and many others, will reap the consequences. Sin is sin, and leaves destruction in its wake whether it is believed in or not.
A comment left by a very opinionated reader of an article about the affair (no pun intended), insisted that 'every man cheats, period. I don't care if your man is telling you he doesn't, he lies. Everyone cheats!' Well, I hope he's not married, and I hope he's not right. Unfortunately, given the times we live in, it's quite possible he's close to accurate. Rules are so last century, after all.
God doesn't change, though.
My hope is there are some out there feeding the good, rejecting the bad and overcoming the world. The Scriptures say to 'never grow weary in well doing, for you shall reap if you faint not.' Keep on keeping on, no matter how tempting the temptation. The consequences of the fall are rarely worth the brief moment of pleasure. And it's certainly nothing compared to the things God has prepared for those who love Him.
And if you're a non-Christian taking pleasure in the fall of others, two words: Don't judge.
This may come as a shock to some, but Christians are sinners. The difference between us and the rest of the world is that we recognize it and desire change. When we accept Christ, we receive the Spirit Who we then trust to lead and guide us, and 'direct our paths' into that change. The goal then, should be to grow more Christ-like. It is a life long process and never reaches completion on this earth.
Every morning we get up and put our pants on like everyone else, but if we're really following Christ, our self interests should take a backseat to His will -- in Christian speak, we die to self. This dying must take place daily, and with much prayer, if we have any hope of walking the walk.
Next on the priority list is to feed the Spirit, which is done in many different ways, including but not limited to Scripture reading, church attendance and daily devotions.
The more you feed something, the stronger it gets.If we're feeding the spirit by focusing on the cross, the Savior, and the Word that is Christ, temptations become mere background noise in the din of life. There can indeed be victory and power in the cross, not by wearing it around our neck, but by focusing on the Bearer of it.On the other hand, if the temptation is fed -- allowed to enter the mind, just for a moment, just for kicks, then allowed to linger longer, and longer, until it has grown into a beast so huge, appearing so mighty, it blocks the cross from view and the Savior that died on it -- sin is certain to be chosen now that the mind is sold out.
Christ has won the war, but Christians are instructed to battle everyday. Many treat Christianity as something that they are, rather than something that they do. They allow worldly cares to smother Christ out. That's why many end up in the same chains as the world: addiction to alcohol, drugs, porn, suffering from self-hatred, bitterness, misery, loneliness, guilt.
Like the prodigal son, our senses can be regained, we can be welcomed back into the fold, and receive forgiveness. But forgiveness does not free us from consequences. So light was shined in the darkness and now Josh Duggar, his family, and many others, will reap the consequences. Sin is sin, and leaves destruction in its wake whether it is believed in or not.
A comment left by a very opinionated reader of an article about the affair (no pun intended), insisted that 'every man cheats, period. I don't care if your man is telling you he doesn't, he lies. Everyone cheats!' Well, I hope he's not married, and I hope he's not right. Unfortunately, given the times we live in, it's quite possible he's close to accurate. Rules are so last century, after all.
God doesn't change, though.
My hope is there are some out there feeding the good, rejecting the bad and overcoming the world. The Scriptures say to 'never grow weary in well doing, for you shall reap if you faint not.' Keep on keeping on, no matter how tempting the temptation. The consequences of the fall are rarely worth the brief moment of pleasure. And it's certainly nothing compared to the things God has prepared for those who love Him.
And if you're a non-Christian taking pleasure in the fall of others, two words: Don't judge.
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