Holiness Isn't Magic
Theme of the week: Lord, Rescue Me!
Monday, April 30, 2012
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: "And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13) Dig Deeper: Matthew 4:1-11
Last month I took a study trip to Israel. On my first morning in Galilee, I woke up early and turned on the television. Instantly I saw a topless woman. I quickly turned the channel to Anderson Cooper and started my travel workout routine of pushups and situps. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to turn the channel back. But I worked out to CNN, turned the television off, went to breakfast, and told my travel buddies about it.
Porn felt out of place on the beautiful shores of Galilee. I felt let down, because I always feel I should be above that temptation, but I am not. I also felt let down by an illusion shattered. I had been holding the illusion that this would be a magical trip with holiness spilling all around, magically infusing me through my feet, as it were, as I walked the footsteps of Jesus.
But holiness isn't magic. It's a choice to make the same decision that Jesus made when he was tempted. It's a choice to lean into God's Word. It's a choice to draw near to God the Father. And it's a choice to allow him to transform your thinking.
—Mike Howerton in Glorious Mess
My Response: What changes might I need to make so that I can avoid those things that tempt me the most?
Adapted from Glorious Mess (Baker, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
 share this page
Heavenly Father, reveal those areas in my life where I'm most vulnerable to sin; forgive me when I give in to temptation; empower me by your grace so that I might live a godlier life.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for Canadian Orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
RSS Feed
