Tag: temptation

Dealing With Temptation

Let’s face it, we are all tempted in one way or another. We may not realize it, or may just be in denial, or simply don’t care but we are all faced with temptation. The evil presence in this world—call it, Satan, Lucifer, devil, demon, or whatever—is real. It whispers in our ears and twists and turns our lives. The goal is to drag us into a dark and sometimes endless pit.

There are three basic ways to deal with temptation. You can simply give into it. Not good! Or you can dwell on temptation, which typically ultimately leads to giving into it. Not good! Or you can be still and simply let it pass. Hard but very good!

It takes discipline to simply let temptation pass. To go in one ear and out the other. But it can be done. Trust me. No, trust God. He is always less than a heartbeat away to help you deal with temptation. Turn to Him and let temptation go.

I know I am making this sound easy but it’s not. It takes practice, focus, and discipline but it can be done. Like anything in life, practice is needed. Pray, meditate, or simply be still. You can deal with temptation if you put your mind to it. It takes work but Jesus showed it how it can be done.

Have a great rest of the week and don’t let temptation ruin the peace that is hardwired into you!

The Lure of Greed, Power & Ego

Too much of the world operates around greed, power, and ego. Unfortunately, I see this in D.C. all the time and it reverberates out through the media across the world. Sorry to say this and be a downer but it’s true now more than ever. The devil lures with greed, power, and ego and is doing a very good job in the temptation department.

I’m thinking about this because I’m already fast-forwarding to the end of Lent. Only a few days in and I’m having dreams of diving into a big bowl of chocolate anything because I gave chocolate up for Lent. Not that I think giving up something is more important that doing positive things during Lent, but if I can’t stay away from chocolate I won’t be able to resit any temptation.

So, in thinking about the end of Lent I’m picturing the devil tempting Jesus. He first offers Him all the bread he can eat—after not eating for 40 days in the desert. He then shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offers it to Him. Finally, the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and tells Jesus to throw Himself off because His angels will swoop in to save Jesus. Greed, power, and ego. The devil tests Jesus and fails. Jesus comes out of the desert and starts His ministry.

It’s easy to give into greed, power, and ego. They play out on big and small stages all over the place. There is one thing that stands in the way of greed, power, and ego: humility. Humility that realizes that anything we have comes from God. He gives and our path in life is to use our God-given talents to the best of our abilities. And use them for good, just as Jesus did. And just as His Spirit empowers us to do on a daily basis.

My wife teases me that I think Lent is the best time of the year. In a way it is, if we take the time to reflect. That reflection should include getting grounded in humility as Jesus did in the desert for 40 days and resisting the urges of greed, power, and ego.

Have a humble week ahead! And eat some chocolate for me!