I once had an epiphany while watching THE BRADY BUNCH. Alice had helped the kids bake cookies and lamented that she had no self-control. She ate a cookie or two and told herself she couldn’t help it. But I could. It would be so easy not to eat a hot, fresh cookie. I could say no. That turned out to be a useful resolution shortly thereafter when my parents put me on a diet of all-natural foods. Suddenly, I had to say no to foods every day.
There are harder temptations. But we ALWAYS have the power to say no. Lust is an obvious one. Avoid those thoughts. Say no to that second look. Don’t watch this or read that.
But what about love—not lust, but romance? Is there any reason to avoid that? Or to engage in romance but “ride the brake,” and keep it under control? Yes. There are good reasons to maintain control. Consider this advice from the Song of Solomon:
“O daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and the wild does of the field, do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time” Song of Solomon 3:5 (Holman).
Other translations:
“Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem, by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—until you’re ready” (The Message).
“You young women of Jerusalem, heed my warning. By the gazelles and deer of the field, I charge you not to excite your love until it is ready. Don’t stir a fire in your heart too soon, until it is ready to be satisfied” (The Voice).
There is a right time and a wrong time for overwhelming passions. And yes, these passions CAN be controlled. While you are young, getting an education and building (or at least launching) a career, you do not need to be overwhelmed by romance. God will provide time for that. For now: “DO NOT STIR UP OR AWAKEN LOVE UNTIL THE PROPER TIME.” See also Prov. 24:27—plant your fields, THEN build your house.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 