Day 9

Day 9– July 27, 2009

It only takes a bite. Is this new to me?  No.  If I allow myself to take my eyes off my goal for just a second, the results are destructive.  This weekend I was invited to three separate functions – a barbeque, a wedding and a banquet.  Food, food and more food was the theme.  I ate without restriction, as each plate was presented to me.  This morning my clothes told me that the weekend binging nullified my hard work prior to these events.  I cannot help but see the parallel to my Christian walk.  It only takes a second to loose focus of Christ and become fully enticed by my own lustful desires.  I cannot allow myself to loose control, to wantonly abandon discipline, thinking tomorrow will be better.  I cannot deceive myself into thinking that a little won’t hurt, a little more food, a little play, a little lie, a little sin.  The truth will not be changed to accommodate my own desires.  James tells me that the process leads to death, even though the beginnings seem so innocent and harmless.  I never imagined that 3 days of eating events would cause weight gain on the Monday after. I never imagined that sex outside of marriage would cause me to loose a friend forever.  I never imagined that lies never end but is the breeding ground for hurt and destruction.  I never knew that a little is sometimes just too much.

James 1 (Amplified Bible)

13Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.
    14But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
    15Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.

Prayer:

Lord, temptation comes in so many forms.  It seems like it is a daily occurrence in my life.  James has told me that this is not from you, for just as you cannot be tempted, you don’t tempt anyone.  The truth as I see it God is horrifying, for it is by my own evil desire that I am drawn away.  It draws me away from that which I really want to do, and I see that it brings death to me in the end.  Lord, I am not allowing myself to remain in this stage, rather God I am turning around, I am starting over.  I am not staying down nor will I shut up.  I will press toward the mark for the prize, in Jesus’ name, Amen!