Taking The Risk

Taking the Risk

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8

In a small, impoverished community in the South, the only place the local church had in which to hold its services was a large room below a second-story dance hall with a wild reputation. During evening worship services, it was often difficult for the preacher to make himself heard above the music, the stomping, and the clatter from the floor above.

The building was old and ramshackle, and one night, in the midst of a sermon, a particularly vigorous jive was in progress upstairs. Suddenly the loud splintering of a plank was heard. Looking upward in alarm, the parson saw, protruding through a hole that had opened up in the ceiling, the plump leg of a woman.

In consternation, the preacher called out, “Any man what raises his eyes to the ceiling, the Lawd will strike blind!”

A hushed silence fell over the congregation. Then the quavering voice of an aged man at the rear of the congregation was heard to remark, “Waal, I’ll risk one eye on it anyhow.”

The old man was not unusual, was he? People are often tempted by cravings for the things they see. In today’s world, we see the evidence in rampant pornography, lewd movies, and the idea that “sex sells” in every kind of ad from chewing gum to automobiles.

Yet God has warned us against following our “evil desires” (Romans 7:5) because they will surely lead us down the wrong road. So when you’re thinking you’d be willing to risk one eye on something anyhow, think again!

Dear Lord, you have given us a perfect example of holiness and purity to follow. Help us to emulate you in all we do and to remain pure in our thoughts, actions, motivations, and speech. Help us to keep our eyes on you and not other things. Amen.