Category Archives: Temptation & Sin

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December 13, 2013

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God's Plan, Obedience, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin

Run For Your Life

When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” … But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. [Genesis 19:16-17, 26 (NLT)]

Sodom was to be destroyed. Lot warned his sons-in-law who laughed and ignored him. Even Lot was tentative about leaving until the angels pulled him away. Lot finally took his wife and daughters and fled the doomed city. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife just had to take one last look back and she, too, was destroyed.

We may not live in Sodom, but we might be mired in things that can destroy us: unhealthy lifestyles, destructive habits, harmful relationships, dead-end jobs, or deepening depression. God will provide a means of escape but we are the ones who will have to take the journey. It could take professional help or simply some deep soul-searching but there may be changes we must make or we, too, will be destroyed. Being willing to make a change is not easy, but it is often necessary for our salvation. Let’s not be like Lot’s sons-in-law and ignore God’s warning or like Lot’s wife who clung to her past. Our past must never keep us from the beautiful future God has planned for us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)]

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November 21, 2013

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Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

Don’t Scratch That Itch

The snake was more clever than all the wild animals the Lord God had made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must never eat the fruit of any tree in the garden’?”

The woman answered the snake, “We’re allowed to eat the fruit from any tree in the garden except the tree in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘You must never eat it or touch it. If you do, you will die!’” … The woman saw that the tree had fruit that was good to eat, nice to look at, and desirable for making someone wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [Genesis 3:1-2,6 (GW)]

Indeed, Satan is shrewd. He got Eve to concentrate on the one fruit she couldn’t have instead of all the fruit she already had. Temptation is a bit like a mosquito bite that is begging to be scratched. The more we think about the itch, the more we want to scratch it!

Lord, guide us, so that our focus is not on forbidden fruit but rather on the plentiful garden you have already given us.

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October 17, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

Paul’s Good Advice

…There will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3:1b-5 (NLT)]

Unfortunately, Lord, the Apostle Paul’s words seem to describe people in these troubled times. Guide us as we check our conduct against his list. Let your Holy Spirit fill and lead us so Paul’s words will never describe our behavior. May we always heed his advice to “Stay away from people like that!”

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September 5, 2013

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Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

Did I Really Say That?

Lord, place a guard at my mouth, a sentry at the door of my lips. Keep me from wanting to do wrong and from joining evil people in their wickedness. [Psalm 141:3-4a (GNT)]

Did I really say that? O Lord, how often I speak without thinking and how tempting it is to give in to gossip, criticism and negativity. Prevent me from speaking hastily, insensitively or imprudently.

 

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August 17, 2013

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Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

Sin is Waiting to Attack

You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you. But if you don’t, sin is ready to attack you. That sin will want to control you, but you must control it. [Genesis 4:7 (ERV)]

Disobedience, gossip, envy, pride, anger, greed, deceit, hatred, selfishness, jealousy, and the list goes on. Which sin, O Lord, is crouching at my door, just waiting for an opportunity to gain a foothold in my life? Father, let your Holy Spirit guard and guide me as I struggle to triumph over it.