Into the Fire

Sounds like a good name for a book . . . maybe it is. I might use it anyway.

You know everyone has them. Doesn’t matter who you are or what you do for a living: you have dark places. Most of us have, at the very least, one thing we’ve never told anyone. If someone else or others were involved, we’ve never told anyone outside of them—and who knows if they’ve ever told because we’ve just assumed no one wanted to speak of it again.

There’s no use defending them (those dark things)—you know, just because we all have them. Having them doesn’t make them right or acceptable or conversational or defendable. If we entertain them, we’re in trouble.

The mind is a mesmerizing maze of misery at times. It is constantly in need of renewal. In order for that to happen, we have to submit it to the Holy Spirit for renovation on a regular basis. If we as the redeemed struggle with the journeys of our thoughts, how much more do the lost? That’s not to say our mind escapades are any better than theirs.

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” Galatians 4:8-9

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

Now we could argue about what constitutes “true righteousness and holiness” but probably not for long because the Word gets even more specific if you read on in Ephesians, and several other books in the Bible. For example: “Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” (Eph. 5:4) So it stands to reason that if even foul language is undesirable for believers, those dark places of our wayward imaginings need to be curtailed and eventually eliminated.

So why is it we often hear resentment to the biblical standards of conduct from Christians? I understand the distaste and distrust for holier-than-thou figureheads of the faith. I’ve got enough rebel in me to chafe against someone spouting off about the conduct of others without checking out their own prejudices. The “traditions of men” as Jesus identified religion drives me over the edge—farther.

But how does a fiction writer for God portray those dark places? How does a writer who is a born again believer, sold out to Jesus Christ, diligently pressing on in the faith for a deeper relationship with God, take those dark places and expose them, confront them in characters, plot, theme, and story without dishonoring or insulting the Lord who gave His life for us? How does a godly writer not exalt the darkness when he writes about it, shows it, paints the picture of it plainly? We all know the draw, the seduction of sin. Some of us have experienced succumbing to what we now consider “dark”. At the time it was probably pleasurable. Until it was exposed to the Light of the world. Then its hideous texture was revealed as the abrasive corrupted toxic thing that it was. Will a writer show and tell the truth about that dark thing? Will a writer show and tell the effects of embracing that dark thing? Will a writer for the Lord give an alternative to those dark places?

I have seen the haughtiness on both sides of the court of faith. One side turns away in disgust at the travesties of people “in the world”, but at the other end of the judging are those who’ve come out of the world into the faith and point their fingers at those who’ve never experienced their personal darkness and fail to understand why some of it is hard to shed. Both sides seem intolerant of each other while the one side preaches holiness with prejudice, and the other side clings to their worldly ways while preaching the gospel.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

I think the key for Christian writers is captured in the simple phrase “and find out what pleases the Lord” because your prose may be outstanding, your story enticing, your plot perfect, and your theme commendable, but what have you accomplished if it’s not pleasing to the Lord whom you profess to serve?

Father, we are now your vessels, and those of us who are called to write want to please you. That is my foremost goal, to write what is pleasing to you. How could I be happy with something which is an affront to you? Let it never be, Lord. I ask it in the Name of Jesus, Amen.