Points to Ponder: The Gaze of Temptation

Points to Ponder
The Gaze of Temptation

Along the bank of a stream, a snake had its eye fixed upon a frog. The frog, though greatly alarmed, was unable to move away from the danger. A man saw the frog's dilemma and so he gently pushed along some nearby tall grass so that it intervened between the eye of the snake and its intended victim. The frog, as if liberated, darted away. The man had broken its gaze.
The charm of our desires can mesmerize us and lure us into sin we will later regret. Who will break the gaze between us and the sin, which so easily entangles us? Hebrews 4 reminds us that Jesus was tempted in all points, just as we are - but he did not sin. Therefore, God says to come boldly to the throne of grace that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
When we succumb to temptation, we will often blame others, or our circumstances - or even God.
“The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the LORD." (Proverbs 19:3 NKJV)
Blame whom you will, but the sin of which we are guilty started within us.
We are responsible for our own desires. If we nourish them and dwell on them - and finally justify them - then we are enticed. The Bible clearly lays out the process from the root to the fruit. Desires and temptations are part of life, but how we choose to respond to them is up to us.
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." (James 1:13-16 NKJV)
When temptation has its sight on you, call on the One who can break its gaze. Don't lose your battle over sin when you can call on Christ, who has already won the war.

This column can be found on the web at: www.fumcl.org. Pastor Whitmore is not affiliated with Picket News, nor does he submit material directly to our publication. We regularly reprint interesting articles found at his public web site and encourage all readers to visit for similar material.