“He Himself
Tempts No One” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)
No one experiencing
temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to
temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. (James
1:13)
Blessed the man you instruct, O
Lord. (Psalm 94:12a)
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and
they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard
against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded
among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of
this, he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no
bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do
you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?” (Mark 8:14-18)
Piety
God, turn me away from the world’s
temptation.
Study
God is not in that doughnut,
regardless of how good it looks and how wonderful it tastes.
God is not in those words that rush
to your lips when your toddler delights in using anything but the toilet.
God is not in the way you clutch
your wallet close because someone who looks a bit different is passing you on
the sidewalk.
God is not in that clothing or
gardening or car ad that keeps popping up in your social media feed, offering
wild savings.
You know where He is: in the places
and relationships that provide joy, comfort, grace, growth. He is in the
invitation to good, not the temptation to evil.
To whom will you say yes?
Action
Say no to a seemingly attractive
temptation today.
Image credit is: AJEL via Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/donuts-doughnut-sweet-cosy-tasty-2969490/
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