Beating Temptation...most of the time

There is an old Indian legend that tells about Indian boys who would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride.

Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. "I am about to die," said the snake. "It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley." "No," said the youth. "I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me." "Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you." The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled, and leapt, biting him on the leg. "But you promised..." cried the youth. "You knew what I was when you picked me up." said the snake as it slithered away."

It’s true isn’t it…we’ve all been bitten by that snake before? James 1:14 says, “We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us.” So how can we sharpen our skills at resisting temptation?

Here’s a winning example Jesus’ provides (Mt. 4:1-11 [check it out]) for beating temptation.

[1] Whenever Jesus was tempted, He always used particular scriptures to combat it. Consistent Scripture memory is absolutely necessary. See 1 John 2:14 right now for proof.

[2] Our free time must be guarded. Determine to love God enough to turn and go the other way…and don’t leave a forwarding address.

[3] Select your friends like your mama would. Keep in mind the warning from Scripture that says, “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

Do you have ideas or things you have done that have worked for you? Share them as a comment.

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Where was God on 9/11

On 9/11, America and nearly the entire civilized world was shocked and in disbelief as we witnessed the calamity of the WTC in NY City. Shocked that the most powerful nation on the planet was attacked and dreadfully vulnerable and how it could be that such evil could take place right in our own “back yard.”

Evils working pervade every culture, every society, and every socio-economic stratum. Sin and evil know no bounds. It’s part of every race and nationality. It’s in every country, city, town and neighborhood. Wars, famine, crime, murder, torture, abortion, infanticide, etc.

Could God have stopped all of these evils and kept the terrorists from attacking and ruining the lives of thousands of husbands, wives, children, parents and grandparents? Yes, if He removed their ability to choose their own will instead of His. But to be totally fair, God would have to strip all of us of our freedom to choose as well. Though we are not terrorists (although I know a few kids who are), we sometimes hurt and crush and harm and ruin other people with our own sinful, evil choices.

Somebody said that this was God’s will. No. It was man’s will usurping God’s will. Man made his choice and it brought destruction. Don’t blame it on God! God told us to choose to do things His way, which always brings life and blessing.

Deut. 11:26-28 – (God) “Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse - a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; but a curse, if you disobey these commands…"

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