Like an Infection
Theme of the week: Sin: Yes, We Have a Problem
Thursday, October 18, 2012
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verses: Don't blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn't use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. (James 1:13-14, CEV) Dig Deeper: James 1:12-15
Mike (not his real name) was a bright, personable pastor at a very large church, led successful ministries for years, was respected in the community, and had a beautiful wife and kids. But then something changed. He became a difficult person and jumped from one church to the next before ending up managing a fast-food restaurant.
He soon found the easy access to cash too tempting. He stole thousands of dollars. Working with dozens of young college students also presented its own brand of temptation. He soon started to sleep with the young women who worked for him.
Some of his staff began offering him cocaine. He tried it and liked it, and there was plenty more cash in the register to feed his new habit.
Then everyone found out. His wife found out, the franchise found out, the police found out. How in the world did life spiral into such a dark abyss?
The wrong and evil in this world, what the Bible names sin, will ruin your life. We think we can play with it, dabble in it, ignore it … it will mess up your life.
Sin festers; it grows and spreads like a topical infection in your toe, and it heads straight for your heart.
—Palmer Chinchen in God Can't Sleep
My Response: To what temptations am I most vulnerable? What steps can I take to keep from giving in to these temptations?
Thought to Apply: One reason sin flourishes is that it is treated like a cream puff instead of a rattlesnake.—Billy Sunday (evangelist)
Adapted from God Can't Sleep (David C. Cook, 2011) 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
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Father, I know I'm a sinner saved and sustained by grace; when I'm tempted, remind me of sin's destructive power; give me an obedient heart that seeks what is right, good, and holy.
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