“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” I Peter 2:11
Today’s Christian daily devotional
Most of these girls are college students, paying their way through school. Gary’s mind justified every step he took towards the strip club.
Shaking the snow from his boots while standing in line to pay the entry fee, Gary wished he could shake his guilt off just as easily.
His wife and two kids were off to see their grandparents for the weekend. How could any man pass up this perfect opportunity to treat himself?
I work hard. Besides, everybody’s got a vice. The voice inside his head soothed him a bit.
Gary’s dark eyes scanned the room. The atmosphere seemed innocent enough. This strip club wasn’t the typical dark and seedy type usually portrayed on Showtime.
This place is busier than Starbucks; it can’t be that bad.
His heart slowed down a bit when he noticed the large party waiting in front of him.
I’m just being a ‘typical guy’; this is what typical guys do.
Gary unbuttoned his thick winter coat handing it to the coat-check girl; he dropped off his burdensome guilt with it.
After the collecting his twenty, a sharply dressed bouncer held the velvet curtain open. This was Gary’s grand welcome into the land of forbidden fruit.
As soon as his boot passed that threshold, Gary’s senses kicked into overdrive. Beautiful woman of every size, shape and color surrounded him like a hedonistic buffet.
Gary was a kid in an adult candy store. His mouth salivated at the thought of unwrapping every tempting morsel that walked past him.
He spotted a waitress dressed in a bunny suit.
“Can I get a Jack and Coke?” Not bothering to make eye contact, he pressed a twenty into her palm.
Barely skipping a beat, Gary flagged down a petite brunette like a man who hadn’t eaten in a month. Heat prickled his forehead as he loosened his tie.
If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this right.
Four hours and four thousand dollars later, Gary left the club lighter in the wallet and heavier in the heart.
This was supposed to be Gary’s big night to treat himself. But, he knew deep down he had only cheated himself, his wife and his family.
You’re a weak man, Gary Popus.
He dropped his head in shameful defeat, knowing there was nothing he could say that would make that truth go away.
I Peter 2:11 says that when we indulge in the whims of our flesh, we are actually waging war against our own souls.
Many people claim that a man has the right to do as he pleases. But, men like Gary can attest that when lust takes control, there’s never true freedom. You are only a slave to your master named lust.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I’ve justified my sins, claiming that I wasn’t hurting anybody. But the fact was, my bad decisions have hurt many people I’ve loved, including myself.
I am tired of just doing what I please and then attempting to clean up the messes I have made.
Lord, I know what to do; sometimes it feels impossible to just do it. Help me to do the right thing, even when everyone around me chooses to do what feels good for the moment.
I realize that this will never lead to satisfaction, but only more disappointment and hopelessness. I have seen this time and time again. I’m now really ready for a real change.
I’m weak, Lord. You said that you would strengthen the weak. I believe that you can do this for me and that you will. I promise to rely on you for my strength, I will not do this on my own any longer.
Lord, send me good friends that will keep me accountable so that when I fall, I will have others to help me get back up and remind me to keep my eyes on you.
In Jesus’ precious name, I give you my insatiable lust. Fill me up with your love so I won’t fall for any cheap substitute. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: I Peter 2:11
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan