FADING FROM THE WAY

"People never crumble in a day...It's a slow fade"
~Casting Crowns ("Slow Fade")

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ~James 1:14-15

Contrary to a popular phrase from the great theologian Flip Wilson, the devil does not make us do it. We are driven by our own sinful desires. It's in our nature. Ever since the first act of disobedience towards God in the Garden, humanity has been driven by a selfish pursuit of all things evil, wicked, lustful and greedy. We are consumed by the things of the flesh; the things of the world.

"Casting Crowns" released a song last year entitled, "Slow Fade" which portrays the effects of a sinful, self-centered life. The video that goes with the song brings to life a visual reminder of how we are dragged away, enticed and eventually destroyed by the sinful desires within...

"Be careful little eyes what you see...
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings"

We're often reminded that "the eyes are the windows to our soul"
(based on Matthew 6:22-23). There is much truth in that statement especially when we consider what the Bible has to say about our hearts...

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" ~Jeremiah 17:9 (also see Mark 7:21)

The process of sin often starts with the eyes. The appeal of the world. The lust and desire for things or people. Sin doesn't always manifest itself in a moment. Temptation and the path to sin is a "Slow Fade". Initially or on the surface, our desires may appear to be a genuine response to a need. This is the first deception of Satan. We need this, we deserve this or my personal favorites, "God made me this way" or "God wants me to be happy". The desires of the flesh and even of our hearts often lure us into things that present themselves as good. At least we try to convince ourselves of that.

Our salvation should not be taken lightly. We are sealed through Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross but not immune from the effects of sin.The movies we watch, the things we read or listen to and the places we go can have a significant influence even on the most mature Christian. Never underestimate our capacity to fall into sin (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

In truth, I believe we're all aware of our actions and when certain desires are wrong. We try to justify our desires or think that one little time won't hurt. What we fail to realize is that each turn from the truth is part of a slow fade that hardens our heart to the guiding from the Holy Spirit. The more we ignore His prompting or correction, the further away this voice becomes. Our decisions, choices and sins form a gradual picture of who we are. It's the little things we do (or don't do) that can lead us away from the narrow way.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~Matthew 7:13-14

"Be careful little feet where you go...
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow."

The consequences of our sins not only have an impact on us but, also on our children and those who are watching us. God calls us to be separate from the world. To live as light in a dark world. Consider too the testimony of our life to the world when we live and do as the world does.

"You'll never be able to speak against sin if you're entertained by it."
~John Muncee

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." ~Ephesians 5: 8-11

Each day we are faced with choices. What to think, decide and say. Where to go. What to do. We can choose to go with the flow, listen to our heart, follow a feeling or live by the Word. The Way may not always be easy, but through the Word, it will always be the 'light' that guides us to the truth and the life.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” ~Psalm 119:105

Not enough is preached about separation, not enough is preached against the world and the things of the world and its pleasures and its trinkets . . . . How can you love the very things for which Christ was crucified? Can you love the nails? Can you bless the hammer? Would you kiss the hands that crushed His head with a crown of thorns? Because when you say you know Christ and you are a disciple of Christ and yet you love the world, you do that very thing. Oh my friend, there is a great divide; a great separation. The Scripture warns us that those who are not separate now will be separated on that Great Day from the sheep and they will be labeled goats and they will find their place in Hell. ~Paul Washer

The words of this song have cut deep into my heart, reminding me of just how true it is that "people never crumble in a day... it's a slow fade". If we are not careful of the things we watch, listen to, think and say, we can very easily find ourselves, our marriages and even our lives fading away until there is only a shadow of what used to be.

~ktf~
John