Help in Time of Temptation

Rowland Croucher writes:

C S Lewis's Screwtape Letters suggests the devil doesn't waste time tempting us over things that repel us: the real choice is not between the obvious extremes of right and wrong, but the more subtle distinctions of what we want to do and what we ought to do.

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, knew the peril of temptation. Wisely he said: 'Even now after forty years of faithful service for God, by one act I could ruin it all.' Life is strewn with banana skins: even you could be on your back any minute!

Too much even of a good thing becomes a bad thing: eat one food item too much and it becomes a poison. Sin is using a good thing in a bad way. Just as 'dirt' is misplaced matter, sin is misplaced good. Adultery is sex, misused; pride is a distortion of self-respect; selfishness is self-love when it is chronic.

Because you yourself were tested by what you suffered, Lord, you are able to help those who are being tested (Hebrews 2:18). Please help me in my hour of temptation. Amen.

This article is published courtesty of Rowland Croucher, John Mark Ministries. If you would like to peruse more articles from the pen of Rowland Croucher, visit his website at http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm.