Something I am discovering, is that playing with temptation is a lot like going out in the ocean when the yellow flag is out. From the looks of things, it's ok, and nothing could go wrong. A good time seems in front of me, and I find myself seeing just how close I can get without falling in. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous move because the water is deceptive, and the undertow is strong, I find myself getting sucked into a vortex, and being pulled into sin. Was the temptation my fault? No, no more than the ocean having rip currents is my fault. I cannot control things outside of me, but I can stay out of the ocean when the yellow flag is out.
If you ever find yourself dealing with this, just know that many people have dealt with temptation throughout the years. The key to dealing with temptation is not to give in, or start to give in. Check out what the writer of Proverbs has to say about this in Proverbs 4:14-19:
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
I would like to first of all point out Solomon's first way of avoiding temptation. Verse 14 says that we are not supposed "to enter into the path of the wicked" Solomon continues by saying: "and go not in the way of evil men". So let's pause and think about this. The first thing we need to do is stay away from the path of the wicked. What does that path look like? That path is anything that is against the Law of God and God's Holy Word. The people that do that are evil men. Continuing on, verse 15 says:
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Notice that there are four admonitions that Solomon gives here.
- Avoid it
- pass not by it
- turn from it
- pass away
The first is avoidance. So for me, I would look at this and ask, is there something in my life that I need to avoid? The answer is many unequivocal yeses, my things to avoid are probably different than yours, but they are no more less dangerous, because the only one who can make the decision to accept Jesus for me is me! That's right, not my pastor, not my friend, not my neighbor, not my wife. No one except me. Now, these people can be used to be a blessing in my life by God, but ultimately where I end up is going to depend on my choice.
The second is to pass not by the path of the wicked. So that means I don't go in for a closer look, in fact, I do everything I can to stay out and away from sin. So what is a way that I can not "pass by it"? By following Jesus, and when I come to Him, He is going to lead me in the Paths of Righteousness.
The third thing is to turn from it. This is very important, because even though I got into that water at the ocean which was a horrible idea, and even though it was very difficult to get out, and I almost got pulled under, I did not have to give up at that point. By God's Grace I was able to struggle out. So if you find yourself on the path, you can still "turn from it". Get out while you still can, that undertow is strong! Once you are out, the fourth step comes into play:
Pass away. So many times, I have been out, and then thrown myself right back in. The only problem with that theory is that the undertow is stronger and stronger, and eventually it will drown you. I can remember a story of a little boy who had a baby python and would take the snake out of his cage to wrestle with it, and then put it back into the cage. When asked to stop by those around him, he replied "I can beat this thing, it's not stronger than me" and he would continue wrestling it. Pretty soon, though, that snake began to get stronger, and soon the snake was stronger than the poor little boy. The boy lost the fight with the snake and lost his life in the process.
The Warning in Proverbs from God through Solomon to us is clear: Don't tamper with temptation, it will destroy you.
What happens when a person looses control themselves? They become agents to tempt others. Verse 16 continues:
"16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall."
When we are being tempted and fall into sin ourselves, it is almost impossible not to try and drag other people into sin with us.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
When we do this we end up eating wickedness and being violent. Wickedness and violence are the sure result of messing with sin.
But, Solomon does not stop here. He wants to make an incredible contrast for you and I to see. Notice what he says in 18, and 19:
18 But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Notice verse 18. The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The Bible continues "The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
So after reading all of these verse, this bring us to an interesting conundrum. We in and of ourselves are powerless against temptation and sin. Powerless to break the chains, and to be set free, but there is One who can set us free. I was just reading about Him in my Devotions in fact.
Notice John 8:12:
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
When we follow Jesus we have light in our lives. Also notice what John 1:1-4says:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Following Jesus is the way to have light in our lives. Reading about Jesus in the Bible sheds light into our lives. As we spend time with Him we are changed from our old selves into a new creation.
Notice Jesus Words here in John 8:33
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Also again notice what Jesus says about the devil who is tempting us to sin: ... He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Whatever the devil has been telling you about the impossibility to get free from sin is a lie! Because the devil is the father of lies. he is only trying to keep you in bondage. Don't listen to him. he does not care about you, and only wants to see your destruction.
Jesus has the ability to pull us out of our pit of discouragement and dispair. As you spend time with Him and ask for His help He will set you free!
I want to encourage you to spend time with Him day by day in the Gospels.
Check out this link about Jesus for more encouragement:
http://www.bcove.me/om7kj3u7
In this link you will find a Bible Study on Mark 1 and on the Power of Jesus Christ!
Also check out this incredible take on the Resurrection of Jesus by Southern Adventist University:
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