by David Brenneman
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!" Matthew 18:1-7.
Oh the temptations of this world.
These temptations are indeed stumbling blocks to a rich life in Christ Jesus.
Our own moral compass with regards to the severity of these is what causes many millions of people to be chained to things that they would have been better off never getting involved with.
If you can be supremely confident in something being good or bad without at all confirming by the Word of God...you're in trouble.
The first links of the chain get forged by indifference to how a situation really is.
"Oh its not that bad!"
"It's not like that! You just don't understand it like I do!"
"What harm is there? I think..."
"It's really harmless..."
Oh you forgot one...
"Did God really say..."
Temptation began with Adam and Eve. Doubt was introduced. A supposed elevated moral compass was used. A single act of disobedience later and mankind would be paying a price until the end of all things.
"Did God really say..." is the real root cause of all temptations in our world. You don't think that Satan chose his words carefully? Look at the results. He surely did.
You'll be tempted to call what is blatant idolatry...just a passing fad. Just a hobby of some interest. Just something you're finding enjoyment in. Your valuation of it, that you never compared with the Word of God, nor asked God about, is where you stopped.
You stopped, in truth, because if you had then it's very likely you wouldn't have participated in.
Satan's schemes are rich in all forms of idolatry. His aim is to get you to replace time with Jesus with anything or anyone else...on terms that you find acceptable. In fact when he gets a hint of you enjoying something you should be wary of he will expend extra resources on it to build more links in the chains to bind you.
A very very famous movie quote says "You can't handle the truth!".
Truth is people expend great amounts of time and money to avoid the truth. If they throw enough at a pang of regret and shame maybe the feelings will go away.
If they work at their enjoyment of the temptation enough they won't think about the ramifications of it because of course ignorance is bliss.
Yet, my Dear Reader...all will give an account of their lives before Jesus.
Nobody escapes that.
Nobody will be offered a chance to present any form of excuse because He already knows your heart.
If the world is running after someone or something...put the brakes on.
If Jesus isn't going to be honored by it or through it...seriously reconsider it.
If it's going to at all try to get you to decide on your own without praying about it...avoid it.
As the saying goes you don't need to attend every argument you're invited to...same goes with temptations in your life.
"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32.
The Word of God was never meant for us to taylor to our desires and whims. The Word of God is to change us into the character of Christ. Was watching a video clip that I think was from the drama "The West Wing". The President was blatantly misquoting and misusing Scriptures to make his point and try to embarrass and shut down a reporter who did properly quote a passage.
Satan's going to misquote Scripture. Go reread the passages in the Gospels of when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.
You do not have to run after every temptation you're being enticed by.
You can, and in most cases, should flee. Which...
"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.
If indeed you are seeking to live a life in Christ that honors all He did for you...to really Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight...means check with Him before proceeding. Do not assume.
Nor presume.
If it's consuming your time, energy, effort and money and there's no Godly benefits...question it.
Regardless of worldly opinion.
Remember the world also thinks it's right and God is wrong.
The world wants you to be all you want to be.
Remember our opening passage. Woe to those who introduce stumbling blocks. These people will be held to a higher level of accountability before Jesus. They will incur a higher form of judgment.
Pray on, pray over, pray through before you just step into something or say yes to anything that the world says will make you fit in or make your life more enjoyable.
How will it look to Jesus?
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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