Hello Dear One,
This week, my message is not light. The subject is temptation. A few weeks ago, someone I love very much was faced with temptation. And rather than turn away, ran forward into the pitfall of hell with difficult consequences. So, just a word to those facing their own demons. Remember: The time to deal with temptation is immediately when it rears its ugly head. Nip it instantly!! Let’s look at King David’s story:
In the spring, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army… But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around the roof of the palace where he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. David slept with her. She became pregnant. David was nervous that his sin of adultery would now be found out. The King called for Uriah to come home so that he could spend a night with his wife Bathsheba and cover up the sin. However, Uriah refused to sleep with his wife while his fellow men were off fighting. David was filled with anger that his plan did not work. When Uriah went back to war, King David sent a note to the army commander with instructions to have Uriah put at the frontline and to withdraw so that he would die. 2 Samuel 11
Wow, how insidiously temptation escalates into sin. Using David’s story, the time for him to turn away from temptation was when he first saw a naked woman from a distance. Don’t think about a second step.
Temptation Escalation Escalation Painful Result
A taste of cake a piece of cake more cake weight gain One drink a second a third DUI A quick retort hurt feelings broken relationships
If you succumb to temptation, remember, there is always redemption. You are not broken forever. God will not leave you nor forsake you. Praying for you always, Linda