"Exposed"

"Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach: shame hath covered my face." (Psalms 69:7) Sin has a way of making us feel dirty, especially when we are in the Light. I don't know if I had mentioned this before, but I had visited a porn shop about twenty or so years ago, and it was not a very comfortable experience. Don't ask me why I did it, because it really wasn't on my list of stops; it was just there and it looked inviting. But let me tell you, the looks that I received from the people inside, it was as if I had some sort of badge on that said, "Christian Alert" or something to that effect. Needless to say, I did not last long in there at all. I knew right then and there that I was wrong for even stepping inside of the establishment, and for the life of me, I can't even remember why I thought it was alright. We can do such stupid things some times; and I would love to say that we do them without thinking about them, but it's not always true; in fact, it is seldom true. Sin is usually something that we make preparation for in our heart and in our mind. Before I could have ever been tempted by that store, I would have had to had some kind of a desire to sin. We only sin when we yield to our flesh; but when we yield to the Spirit we never sin, ever! After sin is death. Maybe not physical death, or death that you can instantly detect, but there is death in one way or another. It might just be death of a dream or a goal, or maybe the death of a relationship; but we should always be aware that sin will result in some sort of a consequence for our actions. I don't really like bars, except if it's a Sushi Bar, so you most likely will not see me hanging out in one; but that does not mean that I do not like to drink. I don't like to get drunk, I don't even like to be around people that are drunk; I had too much of that as a kid. But, I must not let my liberty to do something become a stumbling block to others; even if I think it is okay, it is not okay if I offend a brother or sister; or even worse, if I cause a non-believer to not believe...  "Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light." So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:10-20) NLT