From our earliest days we have pushed the limits. We stand at the edge of the crib trying to get out. Our Mom tells us to not touch something and we feel compelled to see how close we can get to it without actually touching it. It seems to be part of that stain of original sin.
Our parents as our first guides and teachers put up boundaries for us to keep us safe and free of sin. When we get past the boundaries and give in to our temptations we will be scolded, perhaps. Hopefully, our parents, like Jesus, will reach out to us afterward to offer forgiveness and reconciliation.
This is one thing as a child but as an adult can have devastating results. Take, for instance, thou shall not kill. Easy enough but in our society today that statement makes everything that is not actually killing acceptable. Pornography is a big issue in our society today especially for men. While most will agree that pornography is wrong they don't see any problem with girls in skimpy bathing suits.
We men often fool ourselves that it is OK to walk near the edge as long as we don't go all the way. That could not be further from the truth. That one small compromise weakens our self control. The best way I have found, to combat these temptations to rationalize the 'little' sins in my life, is to constantly fill myself with good and wholesome things and keep removing from my life those things that are not of God.
Lately, I have been reading a book about Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk. He liked to practice the presence of God. The book is titled, "The Practice of the Presence of God". I find his approach simple to grasp with a lifetime to master.
No comments:
Post a Comment