Our human nature draws us to many types of temptations and fascinations. We crave things easily. Yet all too often we don’t realize that what the world considers good God considers vain and perverse. Why? God knows how things can be wearing on the soul, corrupt and desensitize our spirit. As the children of Israel experienced, as they “lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert, He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalm 106:14-16).
RELEVANCE
Solomon experienced greatness; but at the same time, the worthlessness of vanity. He learned in the end the consequences of falling prey to life’s temptations.
“A worthless person, a wicked man,
Walks with a perverse mouth;
He winks with his eyes,
He shuffles his feet,
He points with his fingers;
Perversity is in his heart,
He devises evil continually,
He sows discord.
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly;
Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.”
(Proverbs 6:12-15)
REFLECT AND RELATE
We often live to indulge in our carnal senses. How subtle, however, are the ways temptation can bring calamity and entrap us. Many things seem harmless, yet have more effects than we imagine. This is where resisting the temptations of the flesh challenge our fleshly nature.
Are there some forms of carnal indulgence the Holy Spirit is revealing you should turn from?
REFERENCES
Romans 1:18-31