January 27, 2007

The Turkish Delight Syndrome

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. —Romans 13:14 In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Edmund was easily won over to the side of darkness by the wicked white witch. Her method was simple—she appealed to his love for rich, sweet food, as well as for status and revenge. The Turkish Delight she offered him was delicious, and it left him craving even more. So strong was its appeal that it led him to betray his brother and sisters.

The appetites of the world and the flesh are powerful and addictive tools of the devil. He appeals to our love for what satisfies our selfish and sinful desires and uses it to tempt, control, discourage, defeat, and destroy us. We crave power or money or food or alcohol or clothes or sex, even though we are in danger of sacrificing our friends, our loved ones, and even our relationship with our Savior to satisfy our desires.

How can we resist the temptations of Satan? Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). He also wrote, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14). And John said, “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15).

Put on the Lord and walk in the Spirit. That’s how to break the power of the Turkish Delight syndrome.

When temptation’s darts assail us,
When in devious paths we stray,
Let Your goodness never fail us,
Lead us in Your perfect way. —Hastings

God provides the armor to withstand temptation, but we must put it on.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 16-18; Matthew 18:1-20

Poppies Along A Virginia Roadside
Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)
Faith Brings Joy

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
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Wishing My Finest FRiends a Blessed Sunday