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How Far is Too Far?
Ahhh, the age-old question. No one seems to know the exact answer, but I do know this: most want to push it to the limit…the very edge. My question is valid in so many areas for believers today. Obviously, those in love are wondering how far is “too far”? Drinking, a little “too far”? What about language limits? And movie ratings….just how far is “too far”? Just how far can we push the boundaries of being a believer? So many questions I left out.
Is our question really “how far is too far”? OR should it be “how close can I get?” When we focus on the boundary as a limit rather than protection, we start seeing it as a barrier holding us back from all we are “missing out on”. It’s right here that we crack open the door for the enemy to step in, and the whispers begin. What lies we start entertaining and believing! Adam and Eve were in the best of the best (the Garden of Eden) and they couldn’t have the fruit from one tree in the entire garden. What became the object of their attention? The fruit they couldn’t have. How did that happen? Through a tiny conversation about the fruit with the enemy.
We want our pleasure, whatever the cost, as long as it doesn’t offend God. We want to dabble in the pleasures of this world, but we don’t want to sin. We just want to get as close as we can. I believe God intends for us to have pleasure in our lives, don’t get me wrong. After all, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Maybe the question is “when does pleasure become sin?” Possibly when we take our eyes off of God and begin focusing on our desires?
Question: God, regarding ___(insert your question)____, am I focusing on my desire or on You?
This week, I’ve been absorbed in Ephesians reading the words of Paul to the believers of Christ of Ephesus. He may have very well touched on this precise question in all of these areas, but sorry, I’m not gonna give you the answer. I can’t. You’re going to have to read it for yourself. There’s so much in Ephesians that I cannot even begin to quote any one part as the answer. I do believe it’s all about perspective. Life is an adventure, not captivity! Get from behind those bars and start living the life God intends for you.
Go study Ephesians, and if you are still wanting to play with sin, be careful. You just might get burnt!
Purity
I’ve been studying this topic over the years. Boy, does the word “purity” alone cause such a stir! People cringe when you say it. They automatically jump to conclusions as soon as the word leaves your lips (or, in this case, your finger tips). “Oh no! Here we go! Talking about ‘no sex before marriage’, AGAIN.” Yes, it’s part of it, but honestly, purity is so much more than that.
It’s a lifestyle choice, not a restriction. A choice to refrain from things that pollute or dilute you. A choice to avoid the things that water down the “you” God created. Plain and simple, purity is about the condition of one’s heart. Whatever is filling your heart is spilling over into the lives around you. If your heart is full of God, then good fruit (love, peace, patience, etc…see Galatians 5:22) should overflow from you. If it’s full of, um, let’s say ungodly things, then those around you are gonna get a lot of stinky rotten fruit from you (aka: gross). You get my point. Purity is about filling up on the good things of God rather than the empty stuff of this world. Trust me, this world is waiting to offer you an assortment of choices. An undiluted heart flows with purity and with that comes great freedom.
Don’t let the world’s version weaken the true meaning of purity. Seek it for yourself. Dig out some verses and break it down. A pure heart is honoring to God. “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word.” (Psalm 119: 9) My challenge for the next generation is this: Let’s put purity back where it belongs. Then the rest will fall into place.
Questions: Do I reflect purity? What am I spilling over into the lives around me?
(And for the record: yes, I believe in waiting until marriage for sex).
Waiting…The fuel behind the passion!
I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘waiting’! Waiting in traffic, sitting in a waiting room, waiting on the Lord, waiting on people, waiting on the Lord, someone waiting on me, waiting on the Lord… I think you get the point. Waiting is hard. It tries your patience. For some it is easy and others torture! Waiting doesn’t mean sitting around and doing nothing though! I believe that we are refined while we are waiting. To make a horseshoe (that’s just what came to mind first – I know…cheesy!), you have to heat the iron to extreme temperatures. The iron has to be melted completely while the heat burns out the impurities as well. The hot liquid is poured into the mold and then cools to form the shape of the mold…in this case, the horseshoe. Now, I’m sure if the iron had feelings, it would not want to be placed in the heat and would do whatever possible to escape it. HOWEVER, it would never become the horseshoe without the heat!!! Think about that one today…
Lately in my own life, the heat has been turned up. At first, I wanted to escape it! To run! But hold up! Am I not praying for God to use me? Am I not asking God to annoint me? So, why would I want to run from the heat? Now, I’m just praying for God to mold me and take out the impurities in my heart, my mind, my soul. It hurts a lot, but I’m just keeping my eyes fixed on the goal. Actually, it’s just more fuel for the passion burning inside of my heart! I will finish the race that has begun!!!
