Have you ever tried to stick to a diet? There are basically two alternatives for doing so, one is to have the sheer discipline to ignore cravings for those things you are not supposed to eat, the other is not to have those things in the house. It is definitely easier to avoid things when there are not around.
The same principle is true with avoiding sinful behavior. Avoiding the questionable movies and TV shows is easier than avoiding their influence while watching them, or skipping the gossip party is easier than trying not to participate once there. There are an unlimited number or potential examples.
Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. ”
Christians are just as susceptible to temptation as non-Christians. By avoiding situations that test our resolve, however, we can set ourselves up for success rather than risking the failure of giving in to the temptation.
Dear Lord, help us think before putting ourselves in situations that subject us to temptation. When we cannot avoid the situation, give us the strength and discipline to overcome temptation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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Amen! Many years ago I decided to cancel our cable and completely did away with television for almost 3 years. It wasn’t near as bad as today, but you would have thought I had asked my family to give up food and water. It was tough but we survived and adjusted. It turned out to be a good thing. We found time in each other and more worthwhile things.
I go out to dinner and see couples and even families not talking but absorbed in their devices. That’s not right. There’s to much entertainment don’t you think?
If we saw some child about to walk in front of a car we would do something about it and yet in a way we do the same thing in our homes. The world is dictating our lifestyles instead of God.
Sometimes after I write these comments I read them again cause I know I’am talking to me. Our sinful nature wants to go one direction and there’s this voice saying, “walk this way” and you know that that’s the voice you should be listening to.
I just want to finish well.
Lord help me, help all of us finish well. Amen!