Most of you who are reading this blog, should already know that I am a born again Christian woman. But, even if you are not in the same faith, you might indulge me and read on. After all, there's no harm done, just use a little bit of time you might waste doing something else.
This week I had an interesting experience. Someone, I'm debating if I should call them a friend, posted something on facebook and referenced my name to the posting. They also tagged some people who we both know, although I will say that they are not friends, but people within our social circle. I saw the posting. It is not something that I would have posted on a public website like facebook for a few reasons. Firstly, I believe that I have worked very hard over the past 15+ years to present an image of myself which I believe best represents my beliefs, personal philosophy and the witness of Jesus Christ, my Lord. This posting, contradicted all of those areas. I am also a married woman, and because of the unnecessary nakedness that I believe is rampant on the internet I deliberately choose to reflect that my husband is the only one who has the priviledge of seeing my vulnerability. And finally, if anyone claims to 'know' me, they would know that modesty is a hall mark of myself and the women in my family. I can hear the peanut gallery people yelling 'granny', but that doesn't bother us at all.
I know that the person doing the posting did not have malicious intent. Maybe naive, and not the best judgement at the worst. My response to the posting is where I erred. You see, I chose to give the perception that the posting was not that much of a big deal to me and it would be nice if my name was removed. A very soft response indeed, and also a response not true to my conscience or nature. What resulted was huge mess that took almost 3 days to fix and I'm sure the evidence is still floating around in cyberspace somewhere. People were upset and it was not what I expected.
My point is, that I should have responded exactly the way I felt, and very swiftly. I shouldn't have worried whether or not someone would percieve me as a 'holy roller' or someone easily offended, because the truth is I am going to make it into heaven and I was offended. I felt that the posting smashed right up against my stand for righteousness, marriage and purity. I think it reeked of the lukewarmness that characterizes our churches today and I let it go.
In the Bible, sin is always spoken of with the strongest language the reflects God's hatred for sin, which stinks in the face of His holiness. There needs to be a strong response to sin whether it's in my backyard or down the street. The apostle James tells us that temptation starts when 'lust is conceived'. This brings forth the bouncing baby call 'sin' and and when sin is finished it ends in death. That's a deep illustration. Scripture also says to 'flee youthful lusts'. It didn't say, wink at it. It didn't say, hide it and save it for later. It says to get up and RUN. Paul tells us about the 'works of the flesh' as if sin is like employment for gain! And he also says to 'mortify' or kill the deeds of the flesh.
The truth is, you can't joke around with sin. That's what I did. When I saw that the posting was not in line with what I believe, I should have made it clear that's how I felt and then, the hot mess that developed later would have never ensued. And the collateral damage would be one person's ego, which I'm sure would heal in due time. Every time, we entertain sin, procreation is taking place. And that sin will soon grow up and bring death to something, and ultimately our souls.
Here are some familiar examples. The teenager who can't stop watching porn on his computer. Get a hammer and smash the darn thing. That eye candy that keeps you up late at night on the phone, and you're failing school. Change your number. The money you keep stealing from client accounts. Quit before you end up in jail! Seriously people, lets get it together. If that girl keeps calling your husband's cell phone and he won't tell her to get lost, then you get up and defend your marriage and tell her where to go! He will get over it! If your child won't stop coming home high and smelling like booze, maybe you should follow him and then bust in the place with some strong friends and drag his tail home!
So I don't need distractions like this foolishness that has already taken up too much of my energy. There are bigger things in life to look forward to, work towards and pray for. If you want your flesh to push you around, that's your problem. Sometimes 'bringing your body under subjection' will cause you push some things or people away. Don't worry about it. The reward is greater if you are faithful to God and His call on your life, than to the opinions and judgements of people who don't matter anyway.
