Allowing sin to seep in

History tells us of a close associate of the Christian man Augustine. The friend was Alypius and he was known to absolutely detest the gladiators in combat, as was the sport of the day those many centuries back. His neighbors, we are told, constantly urged and cajoled him to come and watch, just once. He still refused. One day he was physically tricked into going into the amphitheater and forced to sit and watch. Still Alypius' conviction was so strong that he shut his eyes tight against the goings-on. A piercing cry from the arena floor aroused him and he opened his eyes for a moment, seeing the final, fatal wound being given to a gladiator. They say as soon as he saw it, he was changed. He started to get riled up and shouted along with the rest of the mob. His kindness and gentleness left him. They say he became a changed man. Not only did he regularly attend the events from then on, he was one of the greatest proponents of the gladiator contests from that day forward.