Good Morning Church! What Tempts You?
Just yesterday as I began to think about what I should write today I was tempted to pick up my cell phone to make a few notes — and yes I resisted the temptation!
These days I find the safest place for my cell phone when I am driving is completely out of my reach! Yet I rarely discipline myself to that degree. (I am busy I rationalize — when else can I make phone calls?)
But the temptation to not just talk and drive — but text while I am driving is far too tempting!
There is a reason Christ said if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. I don’t think HE meant this literally but was making the point that sometimes you have to completely separate yourself from the things you have a problem with.
So I ask again — what tempts you? Have you ever thought about it?
Is it food? I think we all feel some degree of temptation to overindulge when our favorite foods are within reach.
And food is something you can’t completely separate yourself from since we have to eat to sustain life — but we can control what we keep in our homes to lessen the temptation towards gluttony.
What about alcohol?
Many people decide to be teetotalers rather than take their chances with the adult beverage version of gluttony — alcoholism.
Some think their temptations are private and secret — known only to them and their computers search history.
Others don’t recognize their temptations at all.
But remember denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.
Some of our biggest displays of denial happen when we face temptation and convince ourselves;
- I can handle it.
- A little won’t hurt.
- One quick look.
- Or, “It's not gossip if it’s true.”
The prayer JESUS taught us to pray addressed temptation head on.
As JESUS prayed alone in Gethsemane. HE challenged the apostles to stay awake and keep watch.
And to pray that they wouldn’t fall into temptation as HE spent HIS last moments on this earth preparing HIMSELF to take on the burden of the world.
And we are told Satan tempted CHRIST after HE had fasted in the wilderness for forty days and forty nigts. Matthew 4:1–3 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Temptation abounds all around us But knowing and admitting what tempts us is step one to not being lead into temptation in the first place.
So Church I ask again — what tempts you?
God Bless
LaVern Vivio
April 30, 2017
