I recall a scene from either the book
“Company Aitch” by Sam Watkins, or the movie “Red Badge of
Courage”; I don't remember which. There was a battle going on,
carnage everywhere; mutilation, agony and death. The man relating the
story tells of looking up and seeing sunlight in the trees, and birds
singing. A bizarre contrast, but an apropos analogy of how sin with
devastating consequences comes to us.
How peaceful it must have been in the
garden when the first couple decided to eat of the forbidden fruit.
What was the weather like when Saul decided to keep some of the
livestock? So seldom do you hear of people having an earthquake and
dramatic message from God warning them of the impending results of
their decision. It's so easy to move smoothly into a choice that is
devastating to the rest of your life, and those around you.
So this is both a warning, and an
expression of intrigue, amazement. We really need to develop or keep
our own inner warnings. I do know this: it is a lot easier to resist
temptation if you're disgusted with the thing. If your first reaction
is something like:”Oh gee, it's that again, I've got to think about
something else, I've got to resist...” then you're in for a
struggle. If you take the time to think about the consequences, how
awful they will be, how much God disapproves if it, how clueless, out
of touch, and weak a person that does that sort of thing is...then
it's a lot easier to resist. And of course, pray the whole time. Pray
that God will give you a right revulsion.
