Contrast

I've used computer projectors to make presentations many times over the years.  Back when the technology was just getting started, it seemed to be all about the brightness of the bulb inside.  The more lumens you had, the brighter the image was on the screen and the easier it was for your audience to see what you were talking about. Over time, however, another factor became equally important: contrast.  Projector manufacturers started to learn that you could increase the brightness of the image through lumens, but you could increase the readability and vibrancy of the colors with greater contrast.

Scripture writers understood the importance of contrast in their language.  Comparison-contrast language is found all over the place throughout the pages written by Peter, John, and especially Paul.  They would speak of good in contrast with evil, wise vs. unwise, pure holiness vs. contaminated, holy vs. impure, things above vs. earthly things, new self vs. old self, righteousness vs. evil, children of God vs. children of the devil, light vs. darkness, and spirit vs. flesh.  When they used this kind of contrasting language, they weren't saying that the earth, darkness, or our skin and bones (flesh) are actually bad or evil.  They were simply using a language tool to tell us that the thing they were about to list were bad.  In the terminology I've been using throughout my blog, they were defining "good boxes" and "bad boxes" for us.  Look at this example.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  (Galatians 5:19-23 NASB)

"The fruit of the Spirit" is giving a us a list of "good boxes" (or thoughts) that may come into our minds or out of our hearts.  When we experience thoughts that produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control, these are good thoughts sent from God.  "Deeds of the flesh" introduces a list of items that are "bad boxes", or thoughts that are not sent from God.  Immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these all try to pull us away from God and His Design for our lives.

When you come across a comparison-contrast list like this in the pages of Scripture, it's worth taking the time to stop an look at the list more closely.  Make a list of "good boxes" and "bad boxes" for yourself.  You might be surprised to see what God is trying to tell you and what is trying to pull you away from His Love and the direction of His Spirit.  The picture becomes brighter, clearer...more vibrant with contrast.