Thought Life (Visual Influence)

As I turned to greet a young couple, who were seated next to me, my eyes were instinctively drawn to the exposed cleavage in the low-cut blouse the young lady was wearing. After that brief indiscretion (which perhaps no one but myself and God noticed) I quickly shook hands with the young man, said "Glad to see you" and was off looking for someone else to talk to.

Later, while sitting awaiting class to begin, an attractive woman arrived late and made her way to the seat just in front of me. As she sat, with her back to me, her hip-huggers stayed low and her open-knit top with the flesh-colored undershirt rode up displaying a tattoo, that I just couldn't quite make out as it was covered by the back of the chair.

All this was at Church, yesterday.

I know, it's all my fault. If I were really spiritual, then there could be naked super-models walking around Church and my focus would never leave Jesus... Well, I'm not there yet, and those two images that I described above are burned into my brain. It's not sinful to see things, it's sinful to let your mind toy with wrong ideas.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1:14-15 KJV

But also we should avoid things that could cause others to stumble. I heard an interesting way of putting this on the radio, "If Jesus was coming to take you to church, what would you wear?"

Maybe I'm selfish, but I can't turn on the TV without seeing half-naked women, I can't go to the mall without seeing half-naked women, at least let me go to church... No, you know what, the church is for those of us who are not perfect, whether it is in our thought life or how we dress. Come as you are, and I'll let God deal with my heart and yours.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:2-7 KJV

Lord give me your wisdom!

Tag(s): visual