Cards Against Humanity (and other sinful stuff)

I've recently hit a new spiritual milestone. In the spiritual journey, spiritual milestones are not clearly marked out, such as someone's 50th birthday or graduating college. Spiritual milestones occur as God sees fit in one's life, revealing new lessons and sanctification by the Spirit.

Today's sermon at church was about the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. Part of our text came from Romans 8:
 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  (verses 12-14)

I know I am a daughter of the King and am called to greatness and holiness. I am called to live in the world, but not to be of it:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

Three years ago, on May 18, 2015, my grandmother passed away. 5 years before that in July 2010, my grandfather passed away. The very day of my grandfather's death is a spiritual milestone for me because that was the day I became a Christian. The day of my grandmother's death was not a spiritual milestone for me, but 1,095 days later, it has become one.

God spoke to me through my grandmother's life story and the scrapbooks and journals she left behind. I pored through them on Friday night and wept, realizing her legacy was one of pain, brokenness, and sorrow as well as joy, love, and quiet hope. I realized my grandmother was captured by her own sinful desires, just as we all are, and I saw how those played out in the history of my family, including my own life. I realized I wanted to leave behind my own legacy, and that I am going to whether I like it or not. Even though I will never be famous or known across the globe, I know those around me are watching, listening, and aware of me: my actions, my words, my desires, my faith. 

No one is perfect. We are all on a journey and learning and growing every day, even if we are not aware of it. Again, I was not brought to this fresh lesson until 3 years had passed. I need to be a beacon of light and hope and not just live my life as a lukewarm Christian (Revelation 3:16). If I desire my life to have a positive influence, I need to not let it be marred by dark spots of doubt and carelessness.

I discussed this with my fiance on the way to church this morning. A verse that has been heavy on my heart is:
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. - Ephesians 5:4

Maybe not everyone knows this about me, but I own the entire set of Cards Against Humanity, which is defined by the creator as "a party game for horrible people." The game plays like Apples to Apples with black cards and white cards: the black cards have blanks or open-ended statements and the whites are chosen to best answer those black cards. Nearly every card has some dirty joke on it, whether it be about sex, the Holocaust, and God.

God is made fun of in that game.

And I have noticed while playing this game with my fiance and friends, a frequent statement that comes out of our lips amongst the dirty words and laughter at the obscene jokes is: "God forgive me."

We laughingly ask God to forgive us as we continue on in playing this game. We Google definitions of strange concepts we've never heard of, further opening our minds to the lustful ways of the world and the depths of sinful avenues.

I am not saying this as a boast, but I believe I am one of the stronger Christians in my group of friends. And look at the example I am setting for them and their friends and family who meet me.

One of my friend's mother has walked in on us playing this game before and expressed disapproval. She left us with: "Well, as long as you're having fun..." and walked away. That stuck with me.

It doesn't matter if I am having fun. It doesn't matter if I don't play this all the time. It doesn't matter that it's "just a game."

It's wrong.

As of today, I am getting rid of my Cards Against Humanity game.

I just don't see it as "true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable" or of having any "excellence" or being "worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8).

I do not want to be a stumbling block to my friends or family or anyone who meets me 1 Corinthians 8:9). I certainly know I would never allow my own children to play this game, so why am I? Because I think I have enough spiritual maturity to make it harmless in the light of my faith? Absolutely not, and how boastful to even think that.

Even if I am a more mature Christian than others around me, that absolutely does NOT mean I have a free pass to sinful and worldly activities. That's like saying because I know porn is wrong and God condemns it, I can watch it for learning purposes or out of curiosity.

Now if you think I am stretching way too far to be comparing a party game to porn, I can see how you would think that's going too far. But are you saying that because you are uncomfortable? Trying to justify your own enjoyment and actions? 

I've learned this thing for sure in the 21 years I've been on Earth: the truth usually hurts. The truth makes us uncomfortable. The truth makes us scoff, roll our eyes, and pout.

Especially the capital-T Truth.

If I see someone playing Cards Against Humanity, I cannot condemn them. See the picture at the top of this post. However, I can decide for myself to live in such a way that does not cause others to stumble and fall. I know by God's guidance in my life, He will shine out from my actions and bring others closer to Him. Not because of me, and how good I am, and how mature I am, and how strong my faith is, but because of His Spirit working in me, His law that is laid out for me, and His grace and forgiveness that marks my very existence.

To God be the glory. To the world be the Cards.