Seduction vs. Strength

January 7th, 2009

Reading: Genesis 13-14 and Proverbs 2

As I mentioned yesterday, I am still playing catch-up on this devotional because I am attending this convention in Las Vegas. There is nothing like Vegas to put the issues of folly and wisdom into perspective like Proverbs 2.

I read Proverbs 2 last night, and couldn't think of anything to write about it. I honestly felt that God was going to show me what the scriptures meant the next day, about choosing between wisdom and folly. You see, I was slightly worried about a party that I was invited to by a certain business. I saw that the Party was at a place called the Tao, which is located in a hotel/casino called the Venetian.

I was actually at the Venetian yesterday, and I saw posters for the Tao. They showed a woman naked from the back, and it looked like the Tao was a strip club of some kind. I was slightly nervous about going to a party if there was going to be some sort of adult entertainment in mind.

Of course, I had nothing to worry about, and the Tao is more of an "Asian Bistro" than a nude review. Perhaps it becomes an X-rated place after a certain hour, but I'm not really that curious. My point is why the Tao chose its method of advertising, and why this entire city seems to want to seduce you.

Today, when I was at the Paris Hotel, I saw a shop that said "Ah Sin". Honestly, I probably wasn't reading this neon sign right, and it could have easily "An Sin", but I don't think that translates to anything. I read the sign like someone who follows the Proverbs 2:14: "Who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil". So the sign would read like someone in the middle of debauchery saying "Ah, sin". Given that interpretation, Las Vegas is aptly named "sin city".

Of course, I can't say that the entire city of Las Vegas is folly, and all of Christianity is wisdom. I'm sure there are more than one exception to each of those statements, and it would be nothing more than arrogant presumption to make such a generalization.

My point is that life is full of wisdom and foolishness, and it is far too easy to stray from the right path. So, for the party at the Tao tonight, I had a plan, and made certain that my wife knew what I was getting into.

Of course, I had nothing to worry about, but I have attended that party if there were strippers there. Let's just put it this way, I would have avoided looking at scantily clad women and focused on my business goals. Assuming I could accomplish my business in such an atmosphere, I would have done what I needed to do and promptly left, because I literally would have had no business being there. This is what I felt God was calling me to do in that situation.

You want to hear something funny? I felt that God was telling me that I was somehow going to see naked ladies today. I'm not saying that I would be seeking them out, but that I would unintentionally see something lewd, and I was going to need to turn away. I thought he was referring to the TAO, but then something actually funny happened on the way to the party. Apparently, there is some sort of Adult Expo here in Vegas at the Sands, and one of the attendees was wearing a skirt with no underwear, so I could see her...tushie. In all honesty, there was nothing really seductive about that butt, because it was fat, really. Still, I did not walk behind this woman very long, and if I really wanted to be seduced, there are other places that I could go.

That's if I wanted to be seduced. In this town that I am visiting, folly has seduced many. It really is very sad. It's like another sign I saw at the Venetian, and ad for The Phantom of the Opera show with a tagline of "Be seduced".

This is really how folly works, by falling for seduction, while wisdom works by standing strong. The problem is it's too easy to say yes, and that is why we can't give in. There is a strength that comes from saying no to self-gratification, if we would only do it.

I suppose it isn't too late for all of them. I makes me want to pray. For all those who are seduced, and keep me from making decisions that could cause me to be seduced.