Still thinking about Governor Mark Sanford’s meltdown, I ran across Matt’s post on the results of sin. He had a video of Casting Crown’s song, “Slow Fade” and I thought it was apropos to his situation, but also for us all. Because there but the grace of God go I.
“People never crumble in a day.” That is very true. Sanford or any man or woman who have had an affair have jumped from being happily married into the bed of another. It’s a process. With some it starts with pornography. Others will develop a close relationship with a member of the opposite sex. Some may start thinking, oh I wish my spouse could be more like him or her, etc.
You see Governor Sanford crossed the line way before he actually committed adultery. It is reported he met this lady at an open air dance club in Uruguay. Why was he at an open air dance club in Uruguay? Especially without his wife?
Flirting… lingering touch on the shoulder… confiding about marital problems… it is a slow fade into adultery.
In Genesis, the LORD gives Cain a warning, “…sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it,” (Genesis 4:7, ESV). Watch out. It’s lurking in the shadows. It comes in many forms. It won’t appear in the form of an adulteress at first, but usually as a computer image or a coworker who cares.
Guys, especially, remember that we need to “Keep (or guard) your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life,” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV). We need to put up hedges to guard against this, because that big jump into an affair is preceded by little steps.
Shane Vander Hart
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Surely there is a lesson in Sanford's discretions, but I have a feeling the reality of the situation is that the general public (youth in particular) are more and more desensitized to this kind of behavior. Especially with loons like Sanford who can't seem to keep their mouth shut whining to the AP about his “soul mate.”
It would be hard not to be jaded growing up in this environment.
Sara mentioned the idea of soul mate. I think this is one of the biggest lies that Satan has gotten many Christians to believe: Love is a feeling. The heart wants who it wants and you shouldn't fight it. Really love is a verb. It is something you do for the other person. Love is commitment and thinking about someone else first.
I don't know how many times I've listened to this song … I do know that I have yet to hear it without tearing up.
Yes, you're right … lines are crossed LONG before people's clothes start coming off.
Very true Frances, just taught that to some kids in a juvenile detention center tonight – out Bible study topic was love.
So true, it isn't like it suddenly dawns on people… “oh crap we're naked, how did that happen?”