Cast Off the Yoke

"My yoke is easy, and my burden light.” // Matthew 11:30

It was a summer night, and the guest speaker stood in front of a large group of teens, talking about purity, about all the different ways we might be tempted to stray from the narrow path. His talk shifted to the topic of pornography. “Now we all know this isn’t an area of temptation for the girls . . .” he joked. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as he continued, feeling ashamed and alone. My worst fears had been confirmed: I was the only girl in the world who struggled in this area.

I didn’t intentionally seek out porn. I had started reading poetry and stories online, increasingly romantic, then erotic in nature. I liked the way these stories made my heart beat, the way they lit up my imagination. It wasn’t a far leap from erotic stories to erotic photos and videos, and once that can of worms is open, it is very hard to close it.

The enemy wants us to believe that our sin is so shameful, so unique, so dark and unmentionable that we dare not tell a single soul. Our culture tells a simultaneous but opposing lie, that freedom means doing whatever we want, that every whim of our emotions should be obeyed, every base itch scratched. That these sinful actions are not only permissible but healthy, normal, and laudable.

But freedom is not license. Freedom only exists in submission to the natural law God wrote in the cosmos and directly on our hearts, which allows us to live in perfect covenant with Him and with others. Our obedience allows our lives to be a celebration of love.

Whatever sin you’re hiding in the dark, cast off the yoke of slavery, friend. Get yourself to Confession. Immerse yourself in the Word. Surrender completely to the One Who made you, Who knows how to fulfill your heart’s deepest desires. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:29-30). Yes, this burden may look like the Cross. But if we allow Christ to share it, if we cast our cares upon Him, He makes even the bitterest suffering sweeter than a pumpkin spice latte.

Cast off the yoke of slavery. // Elizabeth BlankeClick to tweet

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