...chocolate fans. 

So, there I was.  Innocently opening a nice piece of chocolate.  Or so I thought.  I probably shouldn't name the brand, but let's just say that this was not exactly what Noah sent out of the ark to find dry land.  Enough said?  I slowly take the foil off of the nice little square piece of milk chocolate with almonds in it...and then it hit me.  I am usually so eager to eat the chocolate, I don't even read what is on the inside of these wrappers.  But this particular time, it caught my eye.  I believe the Lord had a lesson in it for me.  Here is what it said:

Temptation is fun...giving in is even better.

What??????????  Okay.  I know that I am surrounded by the world.  As a Christian, I know that God's Word tells me to be "in the world, but not OF the world."  And I pray that, by His grace, I can do that.  I think that I often see the "subtle" messages of the world around me.  But I wonder now...how many really blatant messages like this one do I miss?  I mean, come on!  A piece of chocolate telling me that sin is good!  Are you kidding me???  Temptation is fun? 

I know.  You're probably thinking, chill out!  It's just a candy wrapper!  And technicially, that's true.  However, what I saw on the underside of that candy wrapper is a glaring message of what is being pumped into our minds from our world on a daily basis.  How often do we think about what we are seeing, reading, or hearing, and test it against the Word of God?  To see if it really is good?  If it is true, or only sounded a little bit like the truth?  Because there is a big difference.  Or maybe we think, "Well, that's not a good message, but it's no big deal."  How frequently are we filling our minds with this stuff?  How often are we told, "Go ahead!  Indulge yourself!  You deserve it!"

I felt sad after reading that little square piece of foil.  It made me a little bit sick to my stomach.  To think that we have become so numb to some things that we might even call temptation fun.  Or grin a little bit to ourselves in the "no harm, no foul" mindset.  After all, it's only chocolate, right?  Yes.  For now.  Until, after sliding quickly and quietly down the slippery slope, it's now someone else's spouse.  Hmmm...what do you think of that message now?  Still harmless?  "Temptation is fun...giving in is even better?"  No.  Taking every thought captive to Christ, I would have to say that I prefer Paul's take in 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

I would say it this way, oh company who produces yummy square pieces of chocolate treats:  "Temptation is a struggle, a challenge.  But thanks be to God!  He, in His infinite grace, provides us a way out.  And THAT is good."  I pray that He will guard our hearts and minds as we daily seek His grace to be IN the world, but not OF the world.