stumbling

so there is an add-on thing for your internet browser called stumble-upon.

i really liked it at first. you click on a button that says "stumble" and it takes you to a random website that pertains to your interests, which you program into it when you sign up. it was a great way to find new sites.

however, it ended up not being so great. among my interests were religion, tattoos, video games, philosophy, sports, etc...
this inevitably lead to websites that had scantily clad women on it. there were scantily clad women with tattoos, scantily clad women playing video games, scantily clad women doing all kinds of stuff that pertained to my interests. usually i'd move on, but i would sometimes find myself looking at this stuff because...well...i'm a guy. it never took me to a porn site, but that doesn't mean it isn't lust.

now, as a christian, someone who genuinely wants to live as Christ-like as possible, this isn't a good thing. it took me forever to realize that, sometimes, when i click on that "stumble" button, i might end up stumbling- spiritually. ironic, i know. it's almost a joke. needless to say, i uninstalled it.

now there are two things i'd like to say about this.
1. i should have seen this coming. 99% of the internet is temptation. sin is something christians should flee from. you don't push the boundary of what you are "allowed" to do, you strive for purity and all that stuff.

Jesus said that lust is commiting adultery in your heart. there is no middle ground.

2. i hesitated to write about this because lust is such a horrible topic. society would say there is nothing wrong with me looking at women, and it's probably not even worth talking about. however, i think it is degrading to women, and more importantly, disrespectful to every woman i've ever known. i think this way because the Holy Spirit puts this kind of annoying sense of morality in you.

but it's scary to admit to giving in to lust. i'm always afraid that people (women) will think i'm creepy or gross. perhaps because lust is creepy and gross. i don't blame them, either. but sin is such a vicious cycle. it's almost a sick, twisted joke the enemy plays. you sin (1), then you feel guilty (2), then you are afraid to admit to it (3), and then you may get judged (4). that's why we should flee from it. but it happens. and the 4th thing isn't really your fault, i guess.

nevertheless, we are sinners, but there is nothing greater than God. as christians, our forgiveness should always be greater than sin.
i think that one of the greatest ways to overcome sin is to admit to it. and make fun of it if you can.


by the way, if you stumbled upon this page, be sure to give me a thumbs up!