Category Archives: Temptation & Sin

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April 3, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Nature, Temptation & Sin

Don’t Get Caught

lionsStay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. [1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT)]

While in Tanzania, I was transfixed while watching a group of lionesses stalk zebras as the herd drank from a stream. Although the lions were concealed in the tall grass, periodically the herd would spook and run a few feet away from the water. The cool water, however, was too tempting and their thirst would bring them right back again. Meanwhile, the lions patiently watched and waited, gradually moving closer to the animals. We didn’t wait to see how this scenario ended but I have no doubt that eventually the lions got one of the zebras, perhaps a smaller weaker one or one who wandered away from the herd. The lions patiently watched for the zebra who lingered just a little bit longer for one last sip, the one who thought he wouldn’t get caught. If they weren’t successful that afternoon, the lions would be back at the watering hole the next day, vigilantly waiting to spring into action when opportunity arose.

Satan is equally as persevering and watchful as those lions. We must stay strong and alert, close to other Christians, be aware of temptation and never think we are invulnerable from Satan’s attack.

 

 

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March 26, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Love & Works, Temptation & Sin, Today: Make it Count

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. [Galatians 6:7 (NLT)]

This verse from Galatians makes me think of the character Larry David plays in the HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Easily aggravated by the pettiest of annoyances, he inappropriately expresses his irritation at the drop of a hat. He can make a molehill into a mountain and will stop at nothing to prove his point. Having no filter and little consideration or compassion for others, he manages to aggravate and alienate nearly everyone around him. Inevitably, the person he has offended is exactly the person from whom he needs something later in the episode. That kind of behavior may make for good comedy but it is not the way to live our lives. What we sow in our actions, we will reap. Just as good deeds can bring a harvest of blessings, bad conduct brings a harvest of weeds. Let’s never get tired of doing what is generous, kind and good.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [Galatians 6:8-9 (NLT)]

 

         

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March 13, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

The Devil Made Me Do It!

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. [1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)]

“The devil made me do it!” was the excuse comedian Flip Wilson’s character Geraldine always used. “It’s not my fault!” is such an easy excuse for us all. We need to remember, however, that Satan can’t make us do anything we don’t want to do. We are the one’s responsible for our own behavior. A certain vigilance on our part is required if we hope to avoid sin. Being tempted is not the sin; yielding to temptation is! Lord, help me recognize temptation and, with your help, turn away from it.

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. [1 Peter 2:1 (NLT)]

 

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March 9, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

Time to Change Our Clocks and Attitudes

You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. However, you were taught to have a new attitude. You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. [Ephesians 4:22-23 (GW)]

Today, we start daylight saving time. In an effort to take advantage of the sun’s light, we move our clocks one hour forward. While we change our clocks, perhaps we want to check and see if we need any change of attitude as well. With a little adjustment of our mindset, we may be better able to enjoy the Son’s light!

Please, God, give me the desire to put away my old behavior. The old way is so familiar and I’ve become comfortable in some long-standing bad habits. I know there are changes I need to make in my life, help me to make them. I want the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [Philippians 2:1-5 (GW)]

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March 8, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

Whose Voice Do YOu Hear?

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. [Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)]

We all have an inner voice that often fills us with negative thoughts. It says things like, “You’re not good enough…you’re worthless…you don’t know how to do that…you have nothing to offer…you’re too old or too young or too fat or too weak or too dumb or unlovable.” Those are not God’s words and that’s not God’s voice we’re hearing; it’s Satan’s. What is that inner voice saying to you? Our thoughts run our lives; we must never let those negative thoughts ruin them.

Lord, speak loud and clear to us and drown out any negativity that is whispering in our ears.

Change your thoughts and you change your world. [Norman Vincent Peale]

Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. [From “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch]

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March 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

BEWARE OF ANGER

If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry – get over it quickly; for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil. [Ephesians 4:26-27 (TLB)]

Sometimes we get angry and, occasionally, that anger is justified. After all, Jesus got angry at the dishonest money changers and merchants and drove them out of the temple. It is right to be angry about injustice and sin. The anger we need to be wary of is selfish anger: the anger that comes from jealousy or when we don’t get our way. We must be cautious about anger when we think we’ve been insulted or undervalued or lose an argument. It’s all right to be irritated or annoyed; being a Christian doesn’t mean we stop having emotions. What it does mean is that we don’t hold on to our anger and let it fester. If it is a righteous anger, we need to do something about it; if not, we need to let it go.