STAGES BEFORE A FALL- SHOWING INTENT
Many years ago, just after I encountered Christ, an older brother mentioned that he was coming to our house, and he met a young lady on the way. When he asked her why she was not going to our place, she responded, “There is no one around”. He then mentioned that I was back from school. She told him, “It is not the same person I used to know. Something has changed”. Thank God for His saving grace.
Being born in a God-fearing home does not automatically make you God-fearing. I would sneak and hide pornographic magazines. It grew worse in one of the institutions I attended. It was a direct battle with lust.
Judah became bold about his intent:
So, he stopped and propositioned her. “Let me have sex with you,” he said, not realizing that she was his own daughter-in-law. “How much will you pay to have sex with me?” Tamar asked. Genesis 38:16 NLT
There are times when a man descends further in the slope of sin. He has moved beyond the thought of sin to show forth his intent and willingness to sin. He begins to make an active move in the direction of sin. A man being tempted knows the end from the onset but when he decides to cooperate with his temptation, he gets into trouble.
Temptation does not keep quiet about its intent; you are the one to decide whether you want to follow through or not. Temptations are always loud and audacious.
Hear the voice of temptation through the mouth of the adulterous woman:
The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look, she said, You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip.
Proverbs 7:10-13, 15-19 NLT
Can I speak with you? There is no one who talks gleefully about sin that will not eventually create an opportunity to fall. You cannot be talking with so much joy about your sinful past as though you missed it. You speak about your past with so much desire. Stop it. Stop toying with sin and then return to say you were only joking. Stop joking with unrighteousness. Cut it off.
Do not hang around with those who joke with profane things. Do you have a company that keeps wholesome conversations? Do you have a company that can tell you when you are going overboard? Are you now comfortable with conversations that would normally unsettle you? Does it now feel normal to watch silly skits? Have you become an active participant?
I still wonder where Judah got that boldness to speak. There is a company that can embolden your sinful intentions. Blessed are you when you do not walk, stand, or sit in such a company. A dear son shared that the first time he got to drink alcohol was in the company of friends who kept telling him it was not a big deal.
Listen! Do not play silly games. When you hear “Truth or Dare” or “Games for Matured Minds only”, do not be careful, do not hesitate, do not wait to see how it will end, and do not stay to laugh over it. Please, Run! Flee youthful lust.
I sense to say to a young lady who has started dropping her godly standards bit by bit because of your desire to get married: Be calm. Stay classy. Your God-ordained man is coming. You do not have to start “hanging out”. Do not compromise. Waiting pays. Be patient.
© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa