"Little White Lies"

They start out as little nuggets and snippets of ideas. Crackers in a biscuit box. Then the ideas are whispered into someone's ears. They become hypotheses, then they become theories. Then finally, they become actions. This was exactly what happened when Amnon raped his sister Tamar in 2 Samuel chapter 13. It's a very interesting story to learn from. I happened to read it this morning.

Amnon: (thinking) I'm attracted to her

Inner voice: she's your sister

Amnon: I'm still attracted to her physically

Inner voice: She's your sister

This scene is over and the curtains are closed. What happens after this scene is that the devil sees that you are having trouble with little white lies that become ideas in your head. Then he sends someone your way...someone, who is apparently one of your close friends, stops over by your house and confirms your sin. Telling you your idea is excellent. The idea is becoming a hypothesis.

Amnon: Jonadabab, I want my sister

Jonadabab (Amnon's cousin): It's okay to want her. You're only human

Amnon: thank you, I thought so. I didn't make myself want her

Jo: I know cousin

Amnon: She's always in my face, and she's luscious.

Jo: Pretend you are ill and just ask the king, ur father (David) to send her to bring you cakes.

Amnon: (smiling)

Jo: all you have to do is let her feed you the cakes

At this point, the hypothesis is now a theory and you feel it's not really a sin. For your cousin to agree with you, everyone else in the world must feel this way sometimes, and they must have taken the same actions.

At the end of the story, Amnon raped his sister, Tamar. He committed sin against his own body (defilement), and his body no longer was a temple of God. The funny thing is that the very cousin who encouraged him to go forward and do this was the same cousin in a later verse that went to his father, David, and told him the full story. David did not have the slightest idea that "little white suggestion" Jo was even involved...be careful of friends that help you complete evil thoughts. When the time for judgement comes, they will turn around and act like they weren't involved. You'll be left alone to wallow in self-pity. Think about all the little white lies boiling in your blood...they can be caught before any major bad thing happens!

***Catch your ideas early before they become hypotheses.

Catch your thoughts fast before they become encouraged by worthless friends.

You know what is "right" all by yourself. Do it.

Not all ideas are theories.

Not everyone is your true friend

Not everyone will tell you what is RIGHT***