Temptations

What's some of your temptations?

I have a few that keep surfacing. Other people may find some of them to be silly, but it is a real challenge to me.

MySpace - Temptation (1). A while back, an online friend of mine introduced me to myspace. I eagerly started to make a page, being the 'net junkie I am. John noticed what I was doing, and asked me to not make a site.

Why? Because of all of the negative issues surrounding it. You hear about it all the time, and if you are a myspacer, probably see it often - people using myspace to "hook up". Then there's the vulgar things you see on the pages. I'm not talking about someone making an inappropriate page, but the comments their friends leave. And yes, I do understand that as the "owner" of the site, you can remove comments made on your page. But the fact remains, the reputation that My Space has, is one that makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to have to give an explanation about how my site "isn't like those others" when I tell someone I have a myspace account. I don't want to rationalize it.

So why is this a problem? BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO MAKE A PAGE! What's the big deal? I feel that God has convicted me in not getting involved with this. I'm reminded of 2 Timothy 2:3-5.

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Every timee one of my friends show me their myspace pages, I start feeling left out, almost envious. I want to "join the group". I know I'm in trouble with it when I start to rationalize the reasons around making a page. (To me) Rationalization is convincing the mind something is right that the spirit knows is wrong.

Ugh. So what is the point of this rant? Is it to whine about not being able to make a page? (maybe, a little). But mainly, its just to show that there are others out there that have daily struggles with "little things". And its important to stick to your convictions, no matter how trivial they may seem when scrutinized.

Ok, rant off. =)