Slow Fade

It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (New Life Version)

I am reminded today of the sneakiness and pervasive nature of sin. Satan is so crafty - he starts out so small with a brief thought of the attractiveness of sin or fleeting feeling of dissatisfaction with what God has done or allowed in your life. Soon we allow a few minutes of these thoughts to settle in our minds and the thoughts become a bit more formed - wishes and fantasies and dreams begin. We often don't acknowledge the significance of these thoughts and will kick them out of our minds. But they come back and it progresses further until we start to question God's goodness in our life. Doesn't He want me to be happy? Doesn't He care that I hurt? Why are so many difficult or unsatisfying things allowed in my life when I am following Him? Our hearts become a bit hard and we start to turn away from the truth and the pull of sin becomes stronger and looks ever more desirable. Then when are at our weakest we are presented with something that appears to be everything we need or want - a shiny fruit that will make us wise and give us every happiness. It is the story of the Garden of Eden enacted over and over again in each of our lives. Temporary happiness that does not satisfy as we had hoped and ultimately causes pain.

I've been through this cycle many times in my life. Often I have nipped it in the beginning stages - but there have been destructive times when I have let it play out in entirety. I do not want to fall into Satan's trap again and try to daily "take captive every thought and make it obey Christ." It saddens me when I see others that I love looking and longing at that shiny fruit that will ultimately destroy them.

Lyrics to the song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns (Altar and the Door)

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking