Sunday, October 10, 2004

My Struggle

I have been struggling with temptation. I don't think that it is wrong to be tempted, it is wrong to give in. And that has been a problem for me. I think if I can conquer this part of my life, I will really be able to grow spiritually and in other ways. This is the key for me. I will confess this to her, and previously she used to be hurt but now her love to me helps her to forgive me. I hope she can forgive me this time. I want to stress that this is not a "major" sin although it is not minor either.

I opened my Bible and came to Matthew 4. This was about Christ being tempted just after being baptised and before he began His ministry. The chapter starts out with Christ being led by the Spirit to be tempted. And after Christ resists the temptation it ends with Jesus being ministered by angels. Satan was tempting Christ and he didn't give in. What was interesting to me is what Christ did to combat the temptation. He quoted scripture. I am sure he didn't have the Torah with Him, but He must have known the scripture well. (He was God and yes, I am sure He knew it all, but He was also in human form). The lesson for me is I have to immerse myself in the Bible. I hadn't done that in some time, this week, so I was weak spiritually. Instead of the Spirit leading me to be tested, I led myself into temptation. I also need to memorize scripture and know it well, because that will protect me and keep me from falling.

In Phillipians, Paul speaks about pressing onwards and going forward. I need to do that. When and if I fall I need to see why it happened, and move on. I need to become the man God wants me to be. After Jesus resisted the temptation, He started His ministry. Perhaps when I am strong spiritually and when I can start resisting temptation consistently (that means every time), then perhaps God can use me for His glory.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home