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This is a caution to a friend against flirting with the
world
Thanks for emailing us back and forgive us if you think
we are being too concerned and "not trusting" but we've known
each other well enough and long enough for you to know where
we are coming from. We have seen far too many people (and
so have you) who have gone down a not-so-wise path and really
didn't have to. Some of these people are ones you'd least
expect (on the surface) but after you thought about it, you
could see how it happened. So forgive me but I really don't
think anyone is beyond any temptation, including you and including
me.
There are a couple of reasons as to why I'm cautioning you
against associating yourself too much with the crowd you told
us about:
1. Sure, your first experience with this type of party shocked
you and repulsed you (hopefully). However, if you keep going
to these parties, and even if you never participated in immoral
acts, you will start developing "thicker skin" to this type
of behavior. You will start getting calluses on your conscience
and you will lose your sensitivity to it. It will start repulsing
and shocking you less and less. Believe me, by the end of
the year, you still won't like it but it won't bother you
so much. You will lose some of the sensitivity to sin that
God gave you as a gift. Sensitivity to sin is not a bad thing,
especially in an age where everyone is trying to desensitize
their consciences so it won't bother them when they are around
and/or engage in sin.
2. The weaker brother/sister. If someone is struggling with
whether or not to go to these parties and they see you, they
may decide that if you can do it without being defiled so
can they. It may very well be, however, that they can't. If
this is the case, you share in the responsibility.
3. You said that this area is not an area of temptation
to you. I believe you. However, if you subject yourself to
this environment a lot, that may change. Where we think we're
strongest, it is there where we may be weakest. Temptation
is not an "if you got it you got it, if you don't you don't"
thing. Temptation can easily be cultivated in new environments.
You may not do the things your friends do but if you throw
a charcoal into a fire, it will burn. You are not that different
from your friends and neither am I. We all have the propensity
to burn if thrown into the fire. "You shall not put the Lord
your God to the test." You know the stances I have taken with
my life with respect to movies, TV, music, parties, etc. I
do that because something in my heart desires those kinds
of sins and if given fuel, I'm scared to death of what I'll
do. I don't believe your heart is completely abhorred by them
either. Inside, there's some attraction. We must not flirt
with the world nor do we have to be of the world to be effective
in it. We are His bride and we must not give Him cause for
jealousy.
4. Make sure that, whatever you do, your life is transparent
before all men. I think many of us struggle with that. I think
our associations with the "cool" crowd puts us in position
to, perhaps, be less than totally honest with those who truly
love us and care for us - parents, family, friends.
5. In many ways, we are products of the company we keep.
If you are not maintaining strong fellowship with those stronger
and more mature with you spiritually, it's going to be very
hard to progress in you walk with Him and to grow in sanctification.
I'm sure you're not finding this very enjoyable. Actually,
neither am I but I'm willing to risk your affinity to give
you these words of caution. I hope you take them in the spirit
in which they are intended. Again, listen carefully to those
who truly care for you in the Lord. God has given them to
you for a reason.
We appreciate your friendship over the years and hope we
have many more years of growing fellowship up ahead. God bless.
Arthur and Sandra
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