On Sunday, I preached a sermon on Temptation.
On Monday I could barely get out of bed.
And it got me thinking about something I don’t usually think too much about.
You see, being a control freak preferrer, I like things I can diagnose, figure out, and tie up in a neat little box. But there are times when I confront a heaviness that feels bigger than my box.
Does that ever happen to you?
That sense that there’s something bigger than us going on.
We can read about the invisible spiritual realm in the bible. (Eph.6:12)
Sometimes we feel it in the battle that tries to move us toward decisions that can hijack our lives.
And because I talked about that battle last Sunday, when I read Jesus’ words this morning that “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy” it occurred to me that the thief probably wasn’t all that happy that I called his bluff.
In my sermon, I enforced the point that having the long view helps you make a better choice in temptation. Because life shows us that the power is in the wanting and not in the thing you want.
(Here’s the sermon if you want to hear more):
(And as a bonus, you’ll hear my better half sing at the end).
But most of all, even if you think it’s too late, the story of David and Bathsheba shows us that God is only a breath away from redeeming your mess and giving you a new start.
However the thief wants you to stay in your mess.
And he may throw heaviness, or discouragement, or depression on you when you try to tell others about his ploys.
But we have to remember we have Someone we can call on who is bigger than that thief. (Eph 6:11)
Don’t ever forget that.
But don’t just not forget it.
Do it.
Thank you!