It was big.It was ugly
It was obnoxious.
It was.... {{insert suspense music here}}...
a computer virus.
For over 24 hours it infected the system, instantly shutting down all attempts to remove it and kicking me off the internet every time I tried to check my email. Mean too. Did I mention that it was mean? I tried a scan that was promptly shut down. No luck there. I then held on to the feeble hope that if I just turned off the computer, the problem would magically disappear when I turned it back on. I'm pretty sure my computer was laughing at me by this time. Nope, no luck from that wishful, naive attempt either.
Frustration ensued.
For future reference, attempting to reason with the computer will not fix the problem.
Just throwing that out there.
One major problem is that the problem looked like it was tying to fix the problem (did you get that?). The silly thing masqueraded as an anti-virus program that would patch up my computer and make it all better. This was one clever virus. Did I tell you that it was clever too? So, in order to fix the problem, the fake had to be destroyed with the real deal. It required several downloads, a few updates, and a whole lot of re-booting.
Hmmm....re-booting. I bet you didn't know there were life lessons to be learned through infested technology, did you? ;)
I'm thinking of thoughts (catch that one?). Do you realize what a battle ground your mind is? If you don't, it's because the devil is downplaying the seriousness of this issue. When we allow the wrong things into our heads, they can take over and infest as easily as the virus did my computer. Often it masquerades as the solution, and we are quickly taken in.
Our worldviews have been and continue to be infected. Everyday, we are bombarded by lies. Lies about our activities, our behavior, our relationships, our bodies, our very purpose for being and existence. It can be frightening to realize how subtle some of these lies are and how easy it is to buy into them. How does our culture feed these things to us?
How about movies? Books? Comics? Television? Billboards?
Philosophy is everywhere, whether you choose to see it or not. Often, without even realizing it, we become as infected with what is false....just like my computer was infected with a fake anti-virus program.
Have you wondered why the "self-esteem movement" has gained such momentum in recent years? It's because it is a fake fix for a much larger problem! But it's taking over and ingraining itself into our culture. Am I making my point? We all need some serious de-programing. We need to be re-booted.
Let's play a game, shall we? I'll give you a word, and you think of what the opposite of it would be. Ready? Go.
Lies.
This is a simple one. What is the polar opposite of a lie?
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE.....meditate on these things." ~Philippians 4:8~
Truth! Paul had the idea that if the Philippians' minds were filled with true things, there would be no room for the lies that they would surely be confronted with. Truth is the very essence of God, and it the most sure-fire way defeat the devil.
Evil.
What's the opposite of that? How about....good? (I don't get a whole lot of awards for originality...)
One of the most common threads in both secular and Christian fiction is the battle between good and evil. It is there, and it is very real. There is a battle going on every minute for the souls of men, women, and children. Are we fighting the powers of evil, or are we allowing ourselves to be lulled to sleep by the prosperous and superficial form of Christianity we see around us?
Let me make a plea, both to you and to myself
Wake up.
It's time to re-boot.
It's time to stop seeing our communities and our country as one big, giant Disney World and begin to see it as a mission field. Or, more importantly, a battle ground. Will you accept this call to arms? Will you plug you ears to the lies and keep your eyes on the Prize?
"Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor.
When faced with trials on every side,
We know the outcome is secure,
And Christ will have the prize for which He died—
An inheritance of nations."
~Getty and Townsend~
posted by Lydia
Two drapes + two linings = four really long pieces!
