Decadent

May 10, 2023

I’m going to let you sit with this photo for a minute…

This giant cookie is from one of our family’s celebrations years ago. You may not be a chocolate-lover, but if you are, like me, you’re getting hungry about now.

I’m not sure I could describe the cookie using words that would describe just how good it looked and tasted in real life. But I’ll try anyway. I need the practice.

Imagine a large dinner plate-sized home-made tollhouse cookie chock full of M&Ms and milk chocolate chunks. A rich, smooth chocolate fudge swirl border topped with twenty-two malted milk balls cover a full third of the cookie’s top.

How’d I do? Do the words or the picture make you want a bite of the cookie?

I tried thinking of one phrase that described the experience of eating that cookie. What I wanted to say was,

“That cookie was decadent.”

Until I wondered if decadent was the right word. It’s always good to know that what I’m saying is what I mean to say before hitting ‘Schedule Post.’ So, I looked it up.

Here’s what I found in Dictionary.com.[1]

Decadent is also popularly used in a somewhat figurative way to describe things that are extremely indulgent, especially rich foods, as in That triple chocolate cake is so decadent that I think I can only finish half a piece.

That definition fits the bill for this cookie. You know, some days I can go all day long without thinking of eating rich foods. Especially if I’m busy doing something good for me. Like writing, exercising, working around the house, gardening, or any number of other productive activities. But let me settle into some television commercials, social media, or simply wandering around the house aimlessly looking for something to do—and wham!, there’s the temptation.

Let’s go back to the definition of decadent. You may have noticed that the definition begins with “Decadent is also…” That’s because this definition was way down the page.

The words at the top of the page, where the primary definition resides, read, “Decadent: characterized by decadence, especially culturally or morally:”

Those words stopped me in my tracks. “Characterized by decadence.” Decadence is defined as…

1. the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay: Some historians hold that the fall of Rome can be attributed to internal decadence.
2. moral degeneration or decay; turpitude.
3. unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.

We don’t want any part of that definition. There’s nothing positive or value-added in any of those words. And that’s exactly where Satan wants us. But don’t take my word for it.

The Bible tells us…

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NASB)

That’s right, much like a television commercial, social media ad, or in my case, a wandering mind, Satan is looking to influence us. He prowls like a lion. He’s sneaky and cunning. He is not our friend. He is our adversary. He wants to devour us.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10…

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;” (John 10:10)

He then continues with…

“I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”

Let’s be prepared for temptation that may lead us to an inferior condition or state. Instead of allowing Satan to destroy us and lure us into moral degeneration, let’s rely on the One who came so that we may have abundant life.

I encourage you to experience God’s hope. Be spiritually productive. Take time to dig into God’s Word. Meditate on Scripture. Go to a quiet place and talk with God. Ask Him to protect you from Satan.

We might be able to get away with a bite or two of a decadent cookie, but the path toward moral decadence is a slippery slope.

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[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/decadent