Temptation Archives - My Manna

Watch What You Watch!

My Manna — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 17:00:00 +0000

Many times what we see get us into trouble.

The apostle John noted that the lust of the eyes does not come from God but from the world (1 John 2:16).

The children’s chorus “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see” is advice well heeded.

Even Job, with everything else he had to deal with, stated:
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1).

He knew the danger and wrong that begins with a look.
Think of what lies ahead for David at this point.

Turmoil will strike his family, including a rebellion against him as king.
A baby will die.
A murder will take place that is part of a cover-up.
The earlier stages of the cover-up include getting a man drunk in hopes that he will have sex with his wife.
Before all of this there was adultery.

Where did it all begin?
With a look.
“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful” (11:2).

It was the look that set the hook.
And it was all downhill from there.

Sometimes we see something “accidentally.”
We were not looking for it.

It just came into sight, as was possible in David’s situation.
The glance is not sin!

But the gaze is!!
Watch your eyes!

Watch what you watch!
Because the look can set the hook!

(PR)

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Control That Craving

My Manna — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 17:00:00 +0000

A Buddhist monk was asked by a missionary: “What is your desire?” “Nothing.” “Where are you going?” “Nowhere.” “Where have you come from?” “Nowhere.” He wanted to be a blank. He ardently desired to be a blank!

So desire was still there, turned toward the absence of desire. How do you go about controlling your strong urges?

Are these urges with in you too strong for you to handle? By your repression? Do you push them under? Repressed instincts are like bad boys who, when put out of class, retaliate by throwing stones at the windows. It’s better to keep the bad boys in class, and teach them to direct their energies to better ends.

Cravings or urges cannot be repressed or suppressed. Why? Because we are born with them! But we still have the sinful nature within us. Read Romans 7 for the remedy.

By your expression? If the answer is not to be found in repression, then is it to be found in expression? Shall we give free rein to the urges within us?

No, for that would lead us into deeper bondage. Shall we try to eliminate them? By no known process can these driving urges be eliminated. Put them out of the door and they will climb back in through the window, often in disguise.

If we can’t eliminate the driving urges by repressing or expressing –
Then what can we do? By your submission!

We must allow the Holy Spirit to take them over. Our urges are properly fulfilled only when-
– they are submitted and surrendered to the will of God. When we allow the Holy Spirit to get into the driving seat of our personalities, then we are in safe hands.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1, 2).

(PR)

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False Fiend

My Manna — Mon, 03 May 2021 22:00:00 +0000

“The devil …is a liar” (John 8:44).

That archenemy, the devil, is a liar from the beginning; but he is so very plausible that, like Eve, we are led to believe him. Yet in our experience we shall prove him a liar.

He says that we shall fall from grace, dishonor our profession, and perish with the doom of apostates; but, trusting in the Lord Jesus, we shall hold on our way and prove that Jesus loses none whom His Father gave Him.

He tells us that our bread will fail, and we shall starve with our children; yet the Feeder of the ravens has not forgotten us yet, and He will never do so, but will prepare us a table in the presence of our enemies.

He whispers that the Lord will not deliver us out of the trial which is looming in the distance, and he threatens that the last ounce will break the camel’s back. For the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. “Let him deliver him now!” cries the false fiend: but the Lord will silence him by coming to our rescue.

He threatens that your foes will torment you bringing lots of trials before you to tarnish your image and trouble your life.

But “happy are you…who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places” (Deut 33:29).

He takes great delight in telling us that death will prove too much for us. “How will you do in the swelling of Jordan?”

But there also he shall prove a liar unto us, and we shall pass through the river singing psalms of glory.
What a liar the devil is!

(PR)

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The Net

MyManna — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 22:00:51 +0000

Man prays to God

Almost every week-

I receive at least one letter from someone who’s been trapped by pornography over the Internet!

The Internet can be used for great good.

But it also can be used for great evil.

And the widespread availability of pornography over the Internet may be its greatest evil.

Realize!

The first step is to realize that this is sin in God’s eyes.

It isn’t just a bad habit, nor is it only something that appeals to your lusts or your craving for excitement.

It is sin!

And you must not excuse it or deny it or say that it doesn’t really matter.

It is sin!

And the Bible warns that “after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:15.

Repent!

This is why I urge you to turn to Jesus Christ and open your heart and life to Him.

He doesn’t love your sin.

But He does love you.

And He wants to come into your life and take away your sins and begin to change you from within.

Replace!

Commit your life to Him.

And then ask Him to fill you and replace everything that is evil or wrong with His goodness and purity.

“..whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9.

Resist!
Then take practical steps to fight this habit.

Get a program for your computer that will filter out unwanted sites, and use it.

Move your computer into a place where others can see what you are doing.

In addition, share your problem with a trusted friend who can hold you accountable for what you watch.

(PA)

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False Fiend

MyManna — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 22:00:31 +0000

“The devil …is a liar” (John 8:44).
That archenemy, the devil, is a liar from the beginning; but he is so very plausible that, like Eve, we are led to believe him. Yet in our experience we shall prove him a liar.
He says that we shall fall from grace, dishonor our profession, and perish with the doom of apostates; but, trusting in the Lord Jesus, we shall hold on our way and prove that Jesus loses none whom His Father gave Him.
He tells us that our bread will fail, and we shall starve with our children; yet the Feeder of the ravens has not forgotten us yet, and He will never do so, but will prepare us a table in the presence of our enemies.
He whispers that the Lord will not deliver us out of the trial which is looming in the distance, and he threatens that the last ounce will break the camel’s back. For the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. “Let him deliver him now!” cries the false fiend: but the Lord will silence him by coming to our rescue.
He threatens that your foes will torment you bringing lots of trials before you to tarnish your image and trouble your life.
But “happy are you…who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places” (Deut 33:29).
He takes great delight in telling us that death will prove too much for us. “How will you do in the swelling of Jordan?” But there also he shall prove a liar unto us, and we shall pass through the river singing psalms of glory.
What a liar the devil is!
(PA)

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Definite Decisions

MyManna — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 22:00:07 +0000

“If your hand causes your downfall, cut it off. And if your foot causes your downfall, cut it off. And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out. Mark 9:43, 45, 47.
In spite of the importance of breaking decisively with everything of which Christ cannot approve-
– some Christians hide sins and are not willing to get rid of them.
Let there be no illusion about this.
No one can maintain their spiritual freshness as long as they allow known sin to remain and take root in their lives.
This matter of spiritual freshness is decided-
– not by living on the defensive,
– but by living on the offensive.
It involves making definite decisions-
– decisions such as saying “Yes” to all that Christ offers
– and saying “No” to all that sin offers.
Christianity is-
– not a prohibition
– but a privilege!
But I would add that it does, however, have a prohibition in it.
In our text for today-
Jesus says that if your “hand” or your “eye” causes you to sin, then do something about it.
In other words-
– do not tolerate anything that cuts across the central purpose of your life.
From head to foot-
– you are to belong to Christ.
The order in these verses is important.
The order is hand, foot, eye.
The “hand” represents the doing of evil-
– the “foot” the approach toward evil,
– and the “eye” the seeing of evil with desire from afar.
What’ s the message in all this?
Quite clearly, the message is that sin must be cut out at every stage.
The place to begin, of course, is with the “eye” – the place of desire.
Take care of that, and you won’ t have to worry too much about the “hand” and the “foot.”

“Father, teach me how to be a decisive and not a double-minded person – especially in relation to this matter of sin. Show me what things I need to break with in my life, and help me to do it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
(PA)

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Devil After the Dove

MyManna — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 22:00:19 +0000

And give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)
Have you had a wonderful spiritual experience recently?
Just as when Jesus was baptized and a dove descended, then right after He was led into the wilderness and tempted. When God does something great, or when you get the approval of God about something, you can expect the attack of the enemy.
“When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil is going to open the doors of hell to blast us.”
If the devil tempted Jesus, be sure he will tempt you, as well.
Ask God to give you His strength to overcome temptation today.
Resist like Jesus!
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Hebrews 12:3-4).
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Too weak and vulnerable at times?
Then-
Run away like Joseph!
“One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” (Genesis 39:11-12).
Reward shall be yours!
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James.1:12).

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It's a rattlesnake!

MyManna — Wed, 25 May 2016 22:30:35 +0000

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Picture this!
You come home from a long day of work.
You walk into your living room.
Plop down on your couch in exhaustion.
And there in the corner of the room-
– your eyes are drawn to something moving.
It’s a rattlesnake!
Do you say to yourself, “Oh, I’m too tired to worry about that now, I’ll deal with it later?”
Of course not!
You’d jump up right away-
– find a bat or something of the like,
– alert your family,
– call the neighbours,
– call the fire department and who knows what else!
It’s a life-threatening situation!
In the same way-
– we need to consider it an emergency when a negative thought enters our minds!
We immediately need to jump up-
– put our armour on,
– alert others,
– ask for help if needed,
– take cover in the promises of God!
When those unrighteous thoughts enter our minds-
– we must deal with them immediately,
– lest they linger and fester and before we know it,
– poison our entirety.
Sadly this is a battle that continuously rages on.
We must renew our minds daily-
– and even hourly in order to remain in a place of peace.
Let’s not wait ’till the enemy has us in his grip!
Let’s put him in his place at the first sign of attack!

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Gates to keep!

MyManna — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:27-29).
The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
It stretches over 4,000 miles (6,400 KM) and was built to protect China from the barbaric hordes to the north.
The designers of the wall made it so high that it could not be scaled, so thick that it could not be penetrated, and so long that no one could go around it.
Yet, during the first hundred years of the wall’s existence China was successfully invaded three times, without the wall having been climbed or breached.
So how, you ask, did the invaders raid China?
Well, the problem wasn’t the wall.
It was the gatekeepers!
In each of these invasions the barbarians simply bribed the gatekeepers who opened the gates, so the enemies just walked right through.
The protection of the Great Wall of China was only as secure as its gatekeepers.
Don’t we all also have “gates to keep?”
Our eyes, and our ears, and our mouth?
No matter how strong we may feel-
– we can never forget that these points of entry will be seen by our enemies
– and there will be attempts to bribe or seduce us so they can break through.
We must not allow the “barbaric hordes”-
– to invade our lives by failing to keep careful watch at these entry points!
Our integrity and our authority depend on the security of our gates!
(PR)

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Watch What You Watch!

MyManna — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 16:00:13 +0000

Many times what we see gets us into trouble.

The apostle John noted that the lust of the eyes does not come from God but from the world (1 John 2:16).
The children’s chorus “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see” is advice well heeded.
Even Job, with everything else he had to deal with, stated:
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1).
He knew the danger and wrong that begins with a look.
Think of what lies ahead for David at this point.
Turmoil will strike his family, including a rebellion against him as king.
A baby will die.
A murder will take place that is part of a cover-up.
The earlier stages of the cover-up include getting a man drunk in hopes that he will have sex with his wife.
Before all of this there was adultery.
Where did it all begin?
With a look.
“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful” (11:2).
It was the look that set the hook.
And it was all downhill from there.
Sometimes we see something “accidentally.”
We were not looking for it.
It just came into sight, as was possible in David’s situation.
The glance is not sin!
But the gaze is!!
Watch your eyes!
Watch what you watch!
Because the look can set the hook!
(PR)

The post Watch What You Watch! appeared first on My Manna.