December 26, 2009

  • Temptations of thoughts

         To live each day new with faith in Jesus Christ in the way He was an example for us to live is a challenge. "...take up cross daily..." (Luke 9:23-27), and so many other verses slip through my mind with this challenge.

         "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."   I Cornithians 10:13. NIV

          A verse of such comfort!  So many times, I can lump that verse into dealing with big things or actions in life. Yet, it is so applicable when it comes to the little things like random thoughts.  How easily can our thoughts snowball into actions?

         If what I have been learning these last few years has applications it must first start with my thinking. If I let unforgiveness creep in and dwell upon the bad, I go backwards in faith and growth. So. what I think becomes a temptation as it can change my attitude resulting in how I treat people.

         "14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

          Wake up verses there that we can so easily skim over without it sinking in. It comes right after the "Lord's Prayer" in Matthew. More I study, yet even greater when I try to apply it, I understand why it is considered a "narrow road/path" to Jesus Christ in heaven. How many times can I fool myself when I don't apply what I study? When I fool myself, which road can that put me on?