Diets. Many humans solemnly promise to commit to eating right, especially as their ‘new years resolution’. They determine to choose cauliflower over cookies, salad over a second helping, or to cut out all sugar or soda. For some, healthy eating is self-chosen while for others, it’s a mandatory order from their doctor to change their eating habits. No matter how much self-control you have, there will always be that moment when you stand facing a piping hot, fresh doughnut with the sugary glaze dripping down the sides of the light, chewy thing of goodness.... while the drool rolls down your face. The allure of the bakery smell drifts across the room and soon the only thing between you and it is a small display case window. But, wait, you’re not supposed to eat it. Maybe your reason is because you can’t handle the sugar, you’re trying to minimize your ‘muffin top’, or simply want to be healthier... either way, there are consequences to eating that doughnut. However, you crave it so bad, reason with yourself in your mind, and ultimately fall to the temptation and indulge yourself. At the time, it’s heaven. It’s so enjoyable to sink your teeth into that sweet fried dough. But later, when you’re reminded what you have to pay for what you did... whether it’s by the negative health effects, or by standing on the scale, you are sorry that you made the choice you did and determine never to make the same mistake again.
I am in reference to myself mainly. I can’t handle sugar, it makes me sick. I have to watch everything I eat, I have a weak stomach in many ways. However, from time to time, despite knowing the consequences of eating things I probably shouldn’t, I do it anyway. Later, when I’m paying for it, I’m not so glad I did what I did, and I determine to never eat any sugar again. But, at some point, I do. Now I’m referring to something that has much more importance than the things you eat, and that have much deeper consequences for your life. In some of the same ways that food effects us, sin does the same. We know what we should do, and we want to do what’s right. We don’t go out trying to sin any more than I go around looking for ways to cheat on my ‘diet’. We tell ourselves we won’t do wrong. But the devil isn’t stupid. He knows us. He knows our weak points. He knows what to put in our path to trip us up. It catches our eye and we are allured by sin. We see the (temporary) enjoyment of it, making light of the consequences we will have to pay. We fall to the temptation and wind up sinning yet again. We may enjoy ourselves for a time, but later kick ourselves for the stupid choice we made. We can’t believe we did it again. We ask the Lord for His forgiveness and determine never to do it again. Yet, it’s not long and we choose the same consequences. It’s a never ending cycle. It’s impossible as humans to make it through life without ‘messing up’, but it is not a requirement to do so. WE can’t ‘be good’. We just can’t. It’s an impossibility. But, God can. God IS good. We must rely on Him daily, committing our way to Him, trusting Him and asking Him to help us obey His Word. It’s not impossible to live right. However, even if we do everything ‘right’ on the outside, we could be doing it ‘wrong’ inside. Maybe with the wrong motive, or with pride as much of what we do is done in. But, just because temptation to do wrong comes our way does not mean we have to fall for it and choose to sin. ( Yes, choose. We always have a choice. There may be times where it seems you don’t have a choice in what to do, but you always have a choice. ) We must simply choose, “ME” or “GOD”. Really, that’s all it boils down to, nothing else. I’m not perfect, I’m far from it actually. I’m not all what I should be, or want to be, but by God’s grace, I will be what He wants me to be. Every day, He’s molding me and shaping me into His image. Each day is building on the last, each experience preparing me for the next, each lesson training me for something greater. I am “confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. (Phil. 1.6) Whenever you’re tempted to do wrong, remember that “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” (1 peter 2.9a) Trust Him.
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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