Tag Archives: Temptation

Making Choices

Epiphany

February 16, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 5:21-37

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. –Matthew 5:27-32

Police yourself not everyone else. Our sins against God are not lessened by comparing ourselves to someone else we deem more sinful. God loves all of God’s children and understands each of us completely. We have only a glimmer of understanding of why another person behaves the way they do.

I remember laughing when comedian Redd Foxx would cover his “misdeeds” by saying the devil made me do it implying that he had no control over his behavior. Truth is we control our choices. We allow what starts as a routine act to grow into an out-of-control temptation. I realized years ago when I got busy and stressed in my work, instead of eating a salad I brought from home for lunch, I would start driving through fast food restaurants and grab a healthy sandwich to eat on my way to my next meeting. As my busyness and stress continued my orders suddenly grew till, I was routinely ordering a double cheeseburger with fries and driving distracted without even tasting my food. Self-examination and self-understanding are key to curbing bad behavior and we do that best as a spiritual discipline asking God who knows us best to help us see ourselves and make good choices. Another TV comedian, Barney Fife, provided the antidote to out-of-control behavior, “Just nip it in the bud”.

Prayer: Forgive me Lord when I allow my choices to be ruled by things other than what is best for me, others, or for my work in serving you. Thank you for your guidance and love in teaching me how to make better choices. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Reaping God’s Crops

sowingseedLent
February 26, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. –1 Corinthians 10:12-13

As you sow, so shall you reap is an old proverb of unknown origin but perhaps based on Galatians 6:7 for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap in the King James Version. It is essentially what Paul says in our scripture today as he outlines incidents of folly people have brought on themselves. We do a lot of that.

How do we avoid sowing sorrow in our lives? So much of what we do that concludes with bad outcomes are misplaced anger or fear or other emotions. Somethings the anger or fear is merited but our reaction to it is not appropriate. Other times our emotions are based in investing ourselves in the lesser things of life, knowing full well that there is a better way. When we drink too much and drive is a good example. When we love our spouse and do not want that relationship to end but indulge in an extramarital affair because it just presented itself and seemed like a good thing to do at the time is another.

Curbing the beasts within us should be handled readily by applying a little common sense, a little self-restraint and yet we do not. When we let other things become our gods we invest the trust in them that is only real when invested in the one true God. Working out our relationship with God is the best way to order our whole lives.

Prayer: Lord forgive me when I let the lesser gods of the world entice me away from you. Hang in there with me, O God. Hold tight when I am tempted to fall. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Getting in Shape Spiritually

Mind Body Spirit fitnessLent
February 14, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-13

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.”’ –Luke 4:5-7

Worship and serve are two active verbs requiring action not lip service. Yet lip service is what I am hearing a lot of lately. I think it would be really hard to be faithful to a commitment to Jesus Christ when one is on the front page of the paper as a politician or sports figure or other celebrity. Some of them are made idols themselves by others. This is particularly true in this season of campaigning where one’s faith becomes a  card used to win voters.

One doesn’t have to be well known to become caught in this struggle. We all deal with putting God first in our lives. We sometimes reduce God to a being that supports our own viewpoints, thus creating God in our desired image. We, too, can serve God to our own interest. Believing our church activities might look good on a resume’.

Like athletes we need to hone our skills at being God followers before we step onto the playing court or field. We must be so in tune with God that our worship and service is the right automatic response because many times in the game of life we do not have time to ponder situations. Lent is a time designed to prepare us for the game of life with all its challenges. We must devote time in study and prayer getting ourselves in the best spiritual shape possible.

Prayer: Lord, walk with me throughout Lent as I strive to improve my readiness for service to you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.