Sliding into sin

Things are actually going good at Church. God is good, and I thank Him!

One interesting thing that is happening is that one of my dear young ladies is slowly falling into a sinful relationship with an unbeliever. The process has been going on for months now, and doesn't seem to be near any end, anytime soon. I've prayed, pleaded, scolded, cried to her and over her. The whole process is tiring. My husband has instructed me to back off. I watch her and grieve, but I must let the Holy Spirit work. I am grateful, however, because it has been a learning experience, at least for me.

I have been wondering just how someone who certainly knows better, can fall into unthinkable sin? The "surface" sin is a romantic involvement with an unbeliever. According to her, nothing except simple flirtation has occured between them, but other symptoms lead me to believe otherwise. I elaborate more on that later. Since we haven't been able to work through this particular situation, I have been forced to acknowledge every aspect of the "fall". Here is a small list of some issues we're trying to deal with that I believe to be a part of backsliding.

1. A feeling of superiority. This girl is very smart and capable. She knows a great deal about Scripture. Our Church is filled with mostly simple and often simple-minded people. This superiority complex has lead to the next point.
2. A slow distancing from other Christians even while attending Church faithfully. This young lady doesn't "mix" wellwith the people in the Church, although she used to.
3. A judgemental attitude. She is obvious in her displeasure at other Christians who have fallen.

My whole point in this post is that while I believe her when she says that nothing has happened yet, something has happened. At least in her mind.
I believe that she has had a relationship with this man in her mind, she has imagined what she thinks it would be like. She has all the symptoms of a woman "in love", and she is willing to forfeit all of her service to the Lord for this flirtation. That is why it is sooooooo important to bring every thought, EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (King James Version)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;


You see, sin is avoidable.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (King James Version)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Most often, sin is stopped by nipping every little sinful thought in the bud. Most often, the easiest route of escape is learning to eliminate the very first hint of a sinful thought. Confessing sinful thoughts. Repenting of sinful thought. No matter how small, and thank God that they are still just small, small thoughts.

Just a thought.