Quick Scrolling 101: 50 Shades of Gray

Proverbs 7:21-22 “With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her...”

     This might sound silly to some but yesterday as I was scrolling through Facebook I came across a type of picture that I would normally scroll past very quickly. The reason for quick scrolling is I have learned that if I extend my gaze I start to salivate, desire, and want it which ‘plants’ this thought in my head, or purchase it to take it as my own and be satisfied, that is satisfied for the moment. I looked at this picture and then I scrolled away, scrolled back to it and then I scrolled away and you guessed it, I went back a third time to look at it? I not only looked at it, I studied it for a moment and then I told myself to move on.

      This morning when I read the two verses above (One Year Daily Bible) I immediately thought of the enticing picture that caused me to stop what I was doing yesterday, take a longer look, scroll away, scroll back, scroll away, scroll back and gaze (I yielded). I found myself thinking about the seductions that lure us into 50+shades of gray and straight into blackness via emotions, bodies, daily tasks, finances, relationships, time, character, etc. For many, seductions and mind consuming things may be a anger, resentment, rage, a certain drink, words, cars, techy items, money, foods-the list is exhaustive.

     This is necessary to say, I found myself asking God to forgive me for ‘gazing’ at the picture and then looking at it again and again. Oh, Wendi, you’re just taking it too far asking God to forgive you for staring at food picture, you might be thinking. When I allow myself to look a little longer or look again at something that is dangerous for my body, it's as though I am saying, “Yes, yes indeed. I want that. Plant it right here...” If I plant the seed of a luscious dessert, how yummy it will taste in my mind, the opportunity for it to grow into acts of purchasing or baking the item increases.

     I have learned to be a quick scroller while perusing Facebook pictures as many pictures cause my mouth to salivate and my mind to want it! As I ‘quick scroll’ it keeps me from the enticements, seductions and ‘‘immediately’s’’.