When we first knew Mary, she was a bright young Christian. She often spoke of the Lord and signed her letters "saved by grace." In the Lord Jesus she found a truly satisfying Object. He so filled her heart that she disdained worldly amusements.
Being a bright witness for the Lord, Mary became at once a special target of Satan. Even Jesus, when on earth, was opposed by the devil. Today this wily one seeks to ensnare those who confess Jesus as Lord.
He cannot rob them of their salvation, but he delights in having them give an un-Christian testimony and false report of their Savior before the world.
This enemy of Christ and of souls used some old friends of Mary's to persuade her that she was missing something since she had given up the world's pleasures. They urged her time after time to go with them to the 'theaters, and often referred to other Christians who did go as a reason for her following their example.
Under this pressure, Mary finally gave in. She consented to go with them "just once." True to her promise, Mary was found that evening at the theater—the most miserable evening she had ever spent up to that time. How she longed to get out! Desperately, she even thought of getting up and leaving her companions in the theater, but the wily foe reminded her of the laughs and jeers which would surely result.
Satan won that battle, and the following week it was easier for Mary again to go with the crowd. This time she was more easily persuaded; but again she spent the entire evening in regrets for having been there.
As time went on Mary would go with a little more ease; but still her conscience would smite her, and she lost many a good night's sleep. It annoyed her that she could not have as good a time as the other girls with whom she went. She did not heed her conscience, nor the warnings of the Word of God. Finally conscience stopped its prickings, and Mary could now enter whole-heartedly into the pleasures with which Satan leads men and women to hell. The enemy of souls had won his point. He could now use her as an example to entice other Christians. He always has some weak ones he can use for this purpose, but he never tells the sad result his poor dupes suffer.
"Vice is a monster of so hideous a mien,
That to be hated, needs but to be seen;
Seen more often, familiar grown its face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace."
Dear young Christian, has the devil suggested to you that you are missing something by not indulging in the pleasures of this world? Has he told you that the shows, dances, and other worldly amusements are truly worth having? If so, let me warn you that he lies to you. He is hiding from you the sorrow and loss due one who so misrepresents the blessed Savior of sinners.
Today, this once happy Christian is a most miserable girl. The subtle enemy that led her on step by step to dishonor the Lord who bought her is now mocking her with taunts of what she has done. He now says: "Do you believe you were ever converted? You couldn't be a true Christian, and do what you have."
Poor Mary is now in deep, deep distress of soul. She wonders if she were ever saved. She has proved that the devil lied to her, and that what he promised as enjoyment was all a delusion. In acquiring an appetite for "the pleasures of sin," poor Mary has blunted or lost the joy of salvation. She has become a poor representative of her heavenly citizenship.
O, dear young Christian, beware of Satan's wiles! Beware of accepting his lures "just once." If you have already done so, I beg you to confess it at once to God your Father. He "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." He can and will restore your joy in the Lord and give you pleasures forevermore.
"Naught, naught I court as pleasure,
Compared, O Christ, with Thee!
Thy sorrow, without measure,
Earned peace and joy for me!
I love to own, Lord Jesus,
Thy claims o'er me divine,
Bought with Thy blood most precious,
Whose can I be but Thine!"