Casting Crowns has a number of great songs.  One that of such truth is Slow Fade.  My pastor mentioned at church yesterday how there is usually a path before we come to sin.  I am reminded of the passage:

Jas 1:13-15 ~ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

We may not always notice the path, but we open the doors in our lives to evil by the little things as much as the big ones.  Everyone of us need to watch out for the signs of that “Slow Fade” and reverse its course before it comes to fruition.

In the song, it says “It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings”, that is the point where you have opened a door because you have given over your will to the tempter.  The first glance may not require your will, but the second time, it is your will to look.

In another line it says “For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow”.  You are an example to those around you including your own family of loved ones.  What path are you leading them down?

One key sign that you are sliding down that path is shown in the line “It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray”.  Do you still see things clearly or are things of righteousness becoming hazy, not so easy to discern anymore?  Often, this is due to us ignoring what the Spirit is saying to us and allowing our own will to take control.  The Spirit of God will become more and more quiet if we do not listen!  Another reason is lack of God’s Word, we much take in God’s Word every day to remain strong and alert. 

While there are many more points in the song, the primary one is, as the song says in “When you give yourself away, people never crumble in a day”, it is by “Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid”.  It is a step-by-step process and every step of the way, we make the choices, as God has already said:

1Co 10:13 ~ 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.

We ALWAYS have a way of escape, but we must notice the escape and follow that path.  That ball is always in our court.