A Sure Escape from Temptation's Snare

A strong feature of a child’s security is the comforting voices of family and caregivers. Nothing calms a troubled child or adult like the calming voice of a loving parent or trusted friend. Conversely, a persistent and angry voice trying to gain and maintain harsh, neurotic control can destroy faith and trust.

The internal voice we listen to is influential and powerful. Its intent can be godly and filled with goodness or, on the other hand, can direct us toward what is evil and sure to end in pain and grief. Our internal voice can be calm, urging us to be loving and kind, or saturated with anger or fear.

Temptation’s voice deceives and attempts to destroy your faith. God’s voice from Deuteronomy 30:19-20 instructs you on how to escape temptation’s snare. “Now choose life by choosing to love the Lord your God so that you and your children may live. Hold fast to him, for his voice leads to life and peace.” Believe this.

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Cry for help and you’ll find it is grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he’ll answer… [The Holy Spirit] will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right.

~Isaiah 30:19-20 The Message

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Creations of the Mind: Curse or Blessing?

Everything we do, including every thought and spoken word, is fashioned by the mind. It’s little wonder that God would command us to love him with our entire mind, for it is capable of creating advancements either for this world’s good or for evil so destructive, the pain and suffering in its wake is incomprehensible.

The mind is so diverse that it is often conflicted and pulled in different directions. Albert Einstein in 1931 observed, “Concern for mankind and his fate must be the chief interest of all people so that the creations of our mind shall be a blessing and not a curse.” Each person must guard his own mind and push away evil.

The greatest security against evil’s destructive force is to love God with your entire mind. Love for God guards against evil’s power. 1 John 4:4 reminds us, “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.” Always maintain an attentiveness for the presence of God’s love in your mind.     

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I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. Love the Lord your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land.  

~Deuteronomy 30:19-20 Good News Bible

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Crisis! Opportunity for Failure or Success

Acceptance is a critical issue for everyone. Although Esau was the older brother, it seems he was always following in Jacob’s footsteps. His father sent Jacob to relatives hundreds of miles away so he would be safe but also to find an acceptable wife. Esau felt compelled to strike out on his own to find a wife who would fit in with the family.

 

What he didn’t know was the aspect of Jacob’s values and personality that permitted him to practice deceit and betrayal on such a grand scale. In denouncing Jacob, Esau would say, “No wonder they call him a grabber and cheater, for he stole my birthright and blessing.”

 

Under the guise of finding a wife, Jacob was forced to leave the family to escape being killed by Esau. In a crisis we are forced to choose a negative or positive turn in life, and our choice reflects our values and character strengths. The Lord God intends that we choose what reflects his plan and will for us, and he stands ready to help us do just that.  

Conscience, Courage and Confidence - Part 3

As a late adolescent, one of the most amazing concepts I encountered was that as a person, as a Christian, I had the privilege of choosing what to do with my life. True to form, as with most adolescents, as I matured so did my thinking patterns.

Deuteronomy 30:19 encourages you to “choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, and listen to his voice while holding fast to him all your days.” Is the failure to choose God, in effect, choosing to die? To choose life is to choose Christ Jesus, for he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

The choice is critical, and the option is life and the blessings from obeying God. Choosing Jesus and his word is choosing life filled with meaning and purpose. No matter what circumstances you’re facing, choosing to trust Jesus is choosing life filled with hope, adventure and security. May God be with you.