In society, public opinion knows what’s best; what gives the majority the authority to determine what is right? Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 that the gate is wide and the road is board that leads to destruction but the gate is narrow and the road difficult that leads to life. So if everybody’s doing it then they must be on the road that is broad. What exactly is everybody doing? Conforming to a pattern of the world; pick your poison we all have one. I write toward the issues that I struggled with, drugs, alcohol, and pornography; and then the really deep issues like depression, angry, stress and anxiety. Bottom line – everyone has something because we live in a fallen world and no one is perfect. Paul says this in the first part of Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…” – I think I speak for many of us when I say “Easier said then done!”I was always big into music and while I have replaced most of the rap, rock and metal music for praise songs I am often reminded of songs from my earlier days. One in particular was written by Erik Schrody in 1998 called “What it’s like”; Erik was the lead singer for Everlast at the time. This song was unusual because it displayed some pretty intense images and lyrics that in all honesty speak a lot of truth to how the world treats others who are stuck in a bad situation. He speaks of three individuals: a homeless man outside a liquor store, pregnant teen going to clinic and a kid caught up with some bad people. The whole point of the song is that people judge others for their situation, people who have, yes made some bad decisions, but that want better – the chorus to this song is:
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
‘Cause then you really might know what its like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what its like
The music video and with commentary by Erik’s explanation of the songs ending is this; the crowd of people have lived a life that is not perfect but they are doing this best they know how and are watching this nice, neat, beautiful family eat dinner. They crowd of people symbolizes the broad road… but they all want what the family has – love, respect, compassion, direction and purpose.
Life is messy. The truth is that the road to destruction is broad and society is dictating what is good for you and me; and as men this means that sex sells. How? First by visual means; Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that anyone who looks at a women to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in our heart. Jesus is giving us an example of how serious this is… think about it. When a man looks at porn he just doesn’t wake up and make that the agenda item for the day; something, contributes to this and it comes from our eyes. Years ago before I started to live my life for Jesus I would listen to this song by Erik, it became a favorite because when I was in my early twenties I felt like no one new what it was like walking around in my shoes. I was a mess from head to toe and participated in everything and anything I could build enough nerve up to do but after a while it became a normal life. Lifestyles do that… they become normal.
To truly overcome the road of destruction I had to first realize that it wasn’t my fault that I didn’t know about the saving grace of Jesus Christ, because honestly up to that point into my life I didn’t have a lot of people pointing me to the cross. Most people pass judgment before they even have a chance to get to know a person based purely on the outside appearance or the actions that are displayed. What people don’t realize is that Christians and non-believers are on the same broad road that leads to destruction and there are only a few that will find that the rough road that leads to life (Matthew 7:14). Why? Because we are not being careful of the false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing that are really ravaging wolves (Matthew 7:15); these wolves is the sexual temptation that we allow in our homes by way of movies, TV sitcoms and even commercials. It’s the people spewing “Jesus hates you” at a young girl going into a abortion clinic when they have no idea what has happened to lead her to that decision; it’s the people who treat a person as sub-human when they are homeless but can’t see the road that lead him to that point; and its that preacher who takes the gospel of Jesus out of context to push his own personal agenda. “Ravaging Wolves” can come in all shapes and forms; on the streets or in churches; they are everywhere.
How do we overcome the addictions of this world? Next part of Romans 12:2 says “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”; we must turn to God it’s the only way we will see true victory. Get a bible, pray to God, openly talk to God honestly about what is in your heart, and find people to confide in that have experience with similar struggles. Jesus never said that we it would be easy that’s why he calls it the narrow difficult road; but He does say in John 16:33 to be courageous because He has already conquered the world.
Image Source: http://browse.deviantart.com/photography/civilization/?qh=§ion=&q=Man+Walking+on+Road#/du1t5k
