TEMPTATION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Hi all,

Phyllida suggested that since I’ve used the word in today’s meditation, I give a definition of “miasma”. Here goes; an unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapour which surrounds or emanates from something. Straight from Google! So fight with them please. I’ve described sin as a miasma. It most certainly smells that way. A stench in the nostrils of the Lord.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 27 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	TEMPTATION
In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, wrote: In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. He may or may not be the originator of this well-known saying. But the facts are it is true! I cannot say for certain whether or not he was a Christian. If he was, surely he would know that death is a by-product of sin. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NLT So Ben Franklin would have put it better if he had written, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except sin and taxes”. But “death and taxes” sounds better than “sin and taxes”. For our purposes, they are the same. Talking about sin, Dr Ken Stewart told a story some 35 years ago. It seems his deacons had come to him and complained that all he ever preached about was Jesus Christ! “What about some teaching about the wickedness of sin”, they asked? Somewhat nonplussed, he agreed. So the following Sunday morning he got up and said. “I’ve been asked to talk about sin. God’s against it. The deacons are against it and I’m against it. So let’s talk about Jesus.” One thing we must admit about sin. It seems to be the most popular activity in the world today. The vast majority of people on this planet are either committing it or thinking about committing it. According to Jesus, thinking about it is the same as committing it. The other fact is that we are incapable of not committing sin. According to Paris Riedhead, we are all “monsters of iniquity who love our sin”. I don’t like it, but have to admit that it’s true. It takes a miracle from God to change it. Each and every one of us was falling into the bottomless pit until God intervened. If He hadn’t it would have been “game over” for all of us. Oscar Wilde, in his play of 1892, “Lady Windermere's Fan” wrote, “I can resist anything but temptation”. It’s a fair assessment of the power of temptation and sin in our lives. I’ve deliberately emphasised the power sin holds over us. The only “way out” is in and through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit through our being born again. There is no other way! Yes, the words have been cheapened by overuse and bad interpretation. But that does not make them any less true than they were when Jesus spoke them ±2000 years ago. The prophet Isaiah stated, 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 ESV It describes us all perfectly. I don’t know how He did it. I don’t really care why He did it. The fact is, He did it! Now we must walk in it. But we can’t unless He enables us to do so. He has and He will for you. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! Proverbs 1:10 NLT 6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it--she'd know everything!--she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 MSG 20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.'" Joshua 22:20 ESV 2 "You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. Exodus 23:2 NLT 13 "Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. Matthew 7:13 GW 7 For we do not live to ourselves alone and we do not die to ourselves alone. Romans 14:7 TNIV 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV 9 But be careful that by using your freedom you don't somehow make a believer who is weak in faith fall into sin. 1 Corinthians 8:9 GW 12 When you sin against other believers in this way and harm their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:12 GW 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 ESV	It’s just like a miasma, that flows up through the grate, Of hell and tries to harm the folk and leave them in a state. It’s terribly insidious. It wants your heart and soul. Given opportunity, destruction is its goal. If it can annihilate or smash you to the ground, It’s achieved the purpose, the one the devil found. You know what I’m speaking of. The miasma is sin. If it can defeat you, then Lucifer will win. You will be his prisoner; and far beyond a doubt, You will never find a way whereby you can get out. It starts off with deception. He makes it look so good. “Try a little sample. You know you really should. Jesus told you something that’s not completely true. A little bit of evil, is very good for you. The difference you have heard about, you’ll never know for sure, While you’ve this obsession for always being pure. Here’s a bit. Just try it. And then you’ll really know, That what the Lord was telling you is not the way to go. To know something is evil, you have to try it first. Then your eyes will open and you will not be cursed” Can you sense the wickedness of what is written here? Eve and Adam tried it. That’s why they are not here. Sin looked so inviting, according to the snake. Both of them were tempted; with all this world at stake. They succumbed and listened. They ate forbidden fruit; And Satan captured both of them. Creation was his loot. So do not trust a sinner. Far better, turn away. Do not mess about with it or you will be its prey. Perhaps it does look tempting. But surely that’s the point. Give the devil half a chance and he will “own the joint”! We must always follow, the straight and slender way. Enter by the narrow gate and from its path don’t stray. Don’t think it’s acceptable to join in with the crowd. Jesus Christ has made it plain, that it’s not allowed. Set a good example for everyone to see. That is why the Saviour came. To set the captives free. Follow His example. It’s perfect and it’s good. If you are obedient, you’ll do the things you should. Jim Strickland  Written 27th November 2012