Coffee Verses Snakes

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ephesians 5:11

My first semester of college was an adjustment—little time alone and constant interruptions while studying. I was forced to work late into the night, and I stayed awake by munching on crackers, granola bars, Twinkies… Before long my clothes became tight. Imagine! So, I turned to black coffee as my stimulant. Initially, the taste was bitter. After one or two sips, I put it down. The next time, I could endure three or four sips, and so on, until I grew to love black coffee. Today it’s one of my favorite things in life. What was offensive at first became increasingly enjoyable the more I was exposed to it.

Snakes, on the other hand, have always been offensive to me and always will be. Every exposure I’ve had to snakes has increased their offensiveness. I well remember the time I came home after teaching a Bible study. I needed something from Don’s shop. As I opened the door, a snake fell on my head, hit my arm, and then scurried into the shop. I learned two things that day: I can run really fast in heels, and extreme fear can scar. (I never go through that door without glancing up first!)

Are you treating the shameful deeds of darkness like coffee or snakes? 

Are you exposing yourself a little bit at a time to that which God declares to be unholy or shameful? Are things that use to offend you less appalling now? Or perhaps, has that from which we believers are to remain separate actually become commonplace in your life or even enjoyable?  

Believer, you and I are to turn and walk (or run) away from the ancient serpent and his ways! Because we live in a world saturated by evil, it is imperative that we remain saturated in God’s Word. Otherwise, we will not recognize the deeds of darkness or have strength to turn from them. 

Lord, strengthen us to embrace your light and flee from darkness.

Jan