How many things aren’t tainted by darkness?
The more I observe, the more I’m convinced we have been seduced and slumbered by the matrix. Would examples be helpful?
God’s word says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Phil 2:3-4).
But, our favorite entrainment says: win at all costs, get revenge, self-promote, it is ALL about our own interests.
I hear believers gush over media that inculcates the exact opposite of God’s character, clearly disregarding the directive to guard our hearts as the wellsprings of our lives — garbage in, garbage out.
We allow darkness to disciple us, then we find living with and for Christ a challenge.
God’s word says: Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle which feed among the lilies. Until [f]the cool of the day when the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense (song of Solomon 4:5-6).
Scripture describes passionate lovemaking between a husband and a wife, not being coy about two breasts like fawns and the mountain of myrrh. God designed sex as a stunning gift to be enjoyed in the sanctity of godly marriage — He created delight, orgasm, sensuality, beauty, strength, touch and so much more.
But endless messages marginalize and degrade virgins as fools even as science affirms that faithfulness brings greater joy — less than 5% of couples who wait until their marriage night divorce — across all cultures and faiths, or non-faiths.
The enemy embalms us in the devaluation of sex, then we wonder why our lives endure endless drama, disappointment, manipulation, shame and pain.
God’s word says: something brilliant and wise . ..
. . . but the enemy counters with its lies, and then leverages our old man and the world to make evil sound good, and goodness sound countercultural, mean spirited, even bad.
Can you think of your own examples of God’s truth corrupted in practice?
So, what can I do? How can I navigate this? It depends on what you want. Truth be told, it can feel good, in the moment, to engage in sin, but the dark delight will ultimately bring death and destruction with deep layers of shame and self-accusation.
Step one:
Do you think God stunning beyond words? If not, alternatives will steal your gaze.
Step two:
Get really close to Him? Suggestions.
- Read you bible– Learn what is brilliant and great for you. Having walked alongside people for decades, I can say simply — God’s plan works.
- Go to a church– It is chic to dis “organized religion” or “the church,” especially within Christendom. I can suggest many great places, all imperfect, but all with people just like you and me, struggling yet desiring to grow.
- Pray– I guarantee you’ll struggle with this. Few actually pray, and it is brilliant. Click here, and get this very short yet entertaining book on prayer.
- Arm Yourself– It says we are to put on the full armor of God every day. Why? How many examples must I spell out to make the presence and impact of our enemy upon your world, your relationships and your emotions clear?
- Hang with Pappa – How have I seen this? One man says each of his paintings is a prayer (alla Monet). Another gets close to god creating music. I employ a great cigar, the outdoors, my bible, and a journal. Others dance, or sit, or pray, or work out. Some blast worship music as they drive or drive in silence and speak with God. What is your way to be close with God?
The enemy takes what God intends for good and twists it to make it dark, sometimes with almost imperceptible shifts and other times with obscene transformations.
Want to discern whether what you value is actually good and true? See Step Two above.