How Do Pilgrim's Progress When Satan's Fruit is in Our Bellies, or Our Cell Phones?

The title for this blog insert may cause you to scratch your head, so let me explain. The New York Times I read tonight had this article headline: "Ring Tones, Cameras, Now This: Sex is Latest Cellphone Feature." With the advance in cellular technology that delivers full-motion video from the internet plus the newest wave of cell phones with larger screens and bright color, the article says, pornography is now the most recent addition to what cell phones can do for you. It's so convenient--porn in a form that has all the best qualitities conducive to user consumption: privacy, easy access, and mobility. The article continued in section B--the "Business" section, which I did not have. I had read enough, however, to get the gist, and I think you have, too.

So, what does this have to do with pilgrims, their progress, and bellies full of develish fruit? Well, oddly enough, my next reading source was that number 2 most read book of all time, Pilgrim's Progress. The story is divided in two halves, the first is about Christian's journey to the Celestial City, and the second is about his wife's following journey to the same destination. Her name is Christiana, and with her come her children and a friend named Mercy. Anyway, one of her sons, Matthew, falls ill after eating some of "Beelzebub's fruit." Of course, this fruit is representative of the kind of stuff coming through cell phones nowadays--poison for the eyes, ears, and heart. So, my title is a little more understandable I hope: how can people who call themselves Christians, or pilgrims on their way to the Celestial City (heaven), make it to our destination when we're fired on by so many new and insipid forms of temptation and ruinous traps laid so imperceptibly and yet seductively in our path?

The answer comes from the physician sent for to cure young Matthew: take the pill of John 6:54-57. What's that? Well, in Bunyan's terms, it's taking into our hearts and minds and life the only thing that can make the temptations of Satan and this world seem as undesirable as they truly are: Jesus Christ. Whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will not need anything else to satiate his desire. In other words, if anyone takes in Jesus Christ for all that he is as God, savior, and lord, then that person will have all they need. The fruit of Satan will not be sweet when we enjoy the bread and the wine of Jesus.

Well, if my words aren't as clear as they should be, let me leave with a simple answer to my question that's every bit as true. When the Matthew was well and got up to resume his journey, this is what a wise man told him: "Flee youthful lust: but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22)." Flee it, even it it means throwing that cell phone or modem into the river. Pursue Christ.