Renee Andrews's Blog - Posts Tagged "tempt"

Mondays with Jesus 2017: Devotions to Begin Each Week of the Year

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:13-15

As everyone in the room snickered, I watched our oldest son, Rene, ask our oldest grandson, Alanus, the same question.

“You didn’t eat a doughnut?”

Alanus, eyes wide, shook his head again. “No, sir.”

What Alanus didn’t know, and what had the whole room struggling to contain the laughter, was that his right cheek was covered in white sugar from the doughnuts on the platter. The same doughnuts he’d been told he couldn’t eat.

As Rene looked to all of the adults in the room in disbelief, one of the kids who had been watching Alanus explained, “He didn’t eat one. He just moved them on the plate and then licked his fingers.”

Temptation. It’s so tough to resist, and often, we get close enough to the forbidden fruit…that we look guilty, merely because we’ve gotten too close, like my grandson and that tray of doughnuts.

I have no doubt that, if left alone with that plate, eventually moving the doughnuts around and licking his fingers wouldn’t have been enough. The temptation would’ve been too strong, and he’d have given in. Likewise, when I know I struggle with something tempting, I’m only hurting myself by getting closer to the situation, or to the thing I want so badly, or to the individual who isn’t good for my spiritual life.

Now, I’m not saying that I stay away from those that I might have the opportunity to bring to God; however, I also need to remind myself that, if a person—or thing—is keeping me from Him, then I need to get away from the plate…before I’m standing, ashamed, with sugar on my cheek.

This Week: Take inventory of your biggest temptations. I’m assuming everyone has more than one; I know I do. If you’ve placed yourself in a situation that is setting you up to fail, back away. Ask for help from a family member or friend—even better if you know someone who struggles with the same problem—and keep yourself from standing in front of your Father with sugar on your cheek.

Renee Andrews