Dec 7, 2011
Why I’m Taking This Book Back To The Library
An interesting book
I enjoy reading biographies and history — and I often check these out from my neighborhood library.
So last week as I was in the library I saw a novel about the First World War.
It looked good, and I checked it out.
And it is good. History, interesting characters, plot — good stuff.
But …
But last night there was a section that was sexually explicit.
I tried just skimming through it — but it still affected me. And afterward it was not easy keeping those images out of my mind.
So even though I’m less than a quarter of the way through — I’m taking the book back to the library. Why?
Growing tomatoes
It’s like growing tomatoes. When you grow tomatoes there are things you can add to the garden to produce growth — like water and fertilizer.
But there are also things you can take from the garden — things which get in the way of growth — like weeds and tomato horn-worms.
Same with our spiritual lives.
My greatest joy is beholding and worshiping Jesus Christ. So there are things I can add to my life that will increase that joy — prayer, God’s Word, evangelism, talking with other believers.
But there are also things I can take from my life — things which hinder joy in Christ — like this book.
Running a race
In Heb 12:1-2 we read that we are all runners in a race. The joy that awaits us motivates us to lay aside every extra weight.
What would you say to a marathon runner carrying a 100-pound backpack full of unnecessary stuff? Dump the backpack!
So I’m dumping the book — taking it back to the library.
Comments? Thoughts?
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And here are some related posts you might find helpful –
- How To Resist Temptation
- A Promise For When You Are Tempted
- 6 Reasons Heart-Satisfaction Is Crucial
- Jesus Gives Us Reasons To Obey
Great word Steve!
Thanks, brother. Great to hear from you.
I like what you have to say here Steve. Thank you.
You are so welcome — thanks for the encouragement.
Ken Follett books could be so great, if they came with a good number of certain pages torn out. A shame. Why do some authors feel the need to sully their awesomely written, fascinating, historical pages with rot? Just so unnecessary. I also now stay away from author Philippa Gregory, for the exact same reason. The images do seem to stay forever. Now trying to burn the Word of God into my mind instead…now there are some HELPFUL images…Jesus the Living Water, the God of all Comfort, the Good Shepherd, the One Gate, the Lamb of God…
Love it!
How wonderful to be alert enough catch those spiritual warnings! Holy Spirit, help us each to be so awake!
Thanks for sharing this steve. I agree wisdom and desire to see Christ are key in making decisions in what to input in our life. There needs to be a non-legalistic approach to it. We can’t be afraid of certain books/authors because we disagree with them, but also be aware of teaching influences, as well as other stumbling blocks (whether that be sexual or otherwise) and react accordingly
Well-said, Jason. Thanks for reading, and for sharing your thoughts.
Good point.