Category Archives: Temptation & Sin

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February 28, 2014

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Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

I’m Not Afraid

Don’t let me do what I know is wrong. Don’t let sin control me. If you help me, I can be pure and free from sin. [Psalm 19:13 (ERV)]

I remember an old (1980) movie called “My Bodyguard.” In it, a nerdy high-school kid, who is being harassed by the school bully, hires a fellow classmate, a husky loner, to be his bodyguard. Eventually the two become friends. We probably don’t need a bodyguard, but we all could benefit from a “soul guard”. God provided one: the Holy Spirit! So let’s make friends with Him.

I’m not afraid of the devil. The devil can handle me – he’s got judo I never heard of. But he can’t handle the One to whom I’m joined; he can’t handle the One to whom I’m united; he can’t handle the One whose nature dwells in my nature. [A. W. Tozer]

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January 31, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

Watch and Pray

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. [Matthew 26:41 (NIV)]

Lord, there will be many temptations today. Make us mindful of those moments; keep us alert and guide our thoughts, words and actions. When we’re tempted to find fault, let there be understanding and acceptance; when we become judgmental, give us tolerance. When pride tempts us, make us humble. Replace our moments of exasperation with serenity, our resentment with forgiveness and our anger with love. Give us discernment when we speak so that no harsh words, gossip or profanity leave our mouths. Strengthen us, O Lord, with your Holy Spirit, so that we are your ambassadors of Christian love.

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. [Saint Augustine]

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January 29, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

The Deadliest of Sins

Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. [Habakkuk 2:4 (NLT)]

Father, help me know the difference between the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from a job well done, achieving a long-term goal, or accomplishing a challenging task and the prideful arrogance that comes from thinking I am better than someone else. Keep my heart humble.

Pride, after all, is one of the seven deadly sins – and the worst, according to most theologians, because it elevates the self to the place of God. … Pride as a sin is an attitude toward oneself and others, while the other thing we call pride is a feeling about excellence. To take pride in one’s work is not the same as taking pride in one’s birth. The first is a form of self-respect; the second is a form of snobbery. [From “Pieces of Eight” by Sidney J. Harris]

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January 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” [John 3:3-4 (NLT)]

How does one get reborn? If there is going to be a rebirth or resurrection, there must be a death or crucifixion. If we are going to be reborn, to have a new life, we must get rid of the old one. We can’t become new simply by slathering on a coat of righteousness or virtue as one would a coat of paint. We need an entirely new foundation. To do that, down must come the walls of bitterness, anger, prejudice, pride and any other walls that interfere with our relationship with God and our fellow man. Rebirth is neither easy nor fun; in fact, at times it can be downright unpleasant. But, rebuild we must if we are going to have a new life: one that is right and true and good.

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. [John 3:5-6 (NLT)]

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January 22, 2014

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Temptation & Sin

What’s In Your Garden?

2014-1-22And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. [James 1:13-15 (NLT)]

Sometimes we can spot sin easily. It’s a bit like a thistle. With its spiny leaves, we know we don’t want to touch it and we certainly don’t want it in our gardens. Sometimes sin is well concealed, like stinging nettle that easily blends into the foliage. Once we brush up against it, we get stung and step back quickly. Because we don’t want to touch it again, we stay on the lookout for it.

Sometimes, however, sin doesn’t announce itself so readily. In fact, it is downright deceitful. Sin can look quite enticing, like the beautiful purple loosestrife flower that tempts us to plant it in our gardens. Unfortunately, as lovely as it is, this plant should be destroyed, not planted. It is invasive; it endangers native plants, disrupts water flow and, by putting wetlands at risk, even jeopardizes wildlife. Worse, because it can produce over 2 million seeds in a season, the plant spreads quickly, rapidly ruining more wetlands. Sin can be just as alluring, just as invasive, and spread just as quickly. It’s not until we’ve planted it in our lives that we realize the damage it has done, not just to the garden of our lives but to the gardens of those around us.

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December 16, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

What Tempts You?

To an evil person, sin is bait in a trap, but a righteous person runs away from it and is glad. [Proverbs 29:6 (GW)]

When trying to trap an animal, a good hunter uses bait specifically designed for each animal. For the mouse, it is peanut butter or cheese; for a groundhog, cantaloupe and corn; for a coyote, tainted game meat. For a bear, lard, donuts and frosting are recommended! Satan is a wily hunter, too, and he knows just what tempts each one of us. What tempts one of us quite often has no appeal to another. What sort of bait does he use on you? Think about it. It’s wise to know exactly what tempts us so we can avoid stepping into the trap of sin!

Don’t let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One. [Matthew 6:13 (ERV)]

Just say, “No!” [1980s slogan for the “War on Drugs”]