Tag: Temptation

Bad Pie & Proverbs 14: MT episode 32

Around the age of 11 there was a moment when I was looking through our deep freezer.  A frozen pie was found, and I was in the mood for pie.

My mother assured me that I would not like the pie, but I could not imagine any pie that I would not enjoy. A respectful argument ensued and oddly, she said, “Ok, I will make the pie.”

This pie was not microwaveable.  It had to be heated in the oven so in about an hour the pie was ready.

Mom was correct.  This pie was absolutely awful! 

How could something with the word PIE in it taste bad?  It was minced meat pie.  To this day, I still do not know the ingredients for minced meat pie but based upon that experience I don’t really care to know.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

This is a strong warning. The writer of Proverbs is making the point that there are times when we may perceive something as right, good, great, fun but in reality, it is not any of those things.

Just like I saw the pie box in the freezer.  It said pie.  I love pie.  I desired something sweet. The picture on the box showed a pie.  It was a circle like a pie.  I desired that pie.

My heart desired the pie but in the end it was horrible.  I had no idea of its ingredients.

In the same way, the world is so appealing.  Just like the picture of the pie on the box was appealing the world appeals to our flesh but in the end, what is delivered is not what we expect. 

My hope today is that any who are younger, please listen to those who are older who may have a helpful word. Any who are struggling with a matter which is at odds with what Scripture teaches, please do not ignore the Spirit’s leading.

Be cautious.  Be aware of the things this fallen flesh desires.  Keep the in mind.  Pray for wisdom and discernment and God will aid and assist you in avoiding disheartening disappointments in your Christian growth.

S.D.G.

More Than You Can Handle: MT episode 27

There is an old saying that I hear frequently that goes, “God will not give you more than you can handle.” I have heard it said by many believers and at some point in life, I most likely have repeated this.

Scripture does say God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, but that is different.

The phrase, “God will not give you more than you can handle,” cannot be found in Scripture. What can be found in Scripture is “God will give more than you can handle.”

2 Corinthians 1 as Paul was writing a church about some trials and suffering he had to endure he said this: “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely on God and not ourselves.”

There was so much for Paul to endure, that it was beyond his strength. Our sovereign God had permitted them to endure more than they could handle. Why? So Paul would know only God can get him through this. He could not do it.

There have been moments in my life where I had to tap out. I did not have the strength to make it and God absolutely provided the delivery.

In a world where do-it-yourself is heartily praised, we must, as believer, remember that it is “God who works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Regardless of how much we grow in faith or how long we have been a believer, we rely on Him always.

S.D.G.

Covenant with Man RD 1

Welcome to Rightly Dividing where we marry theology and Scripture. The idea is to promote loving God with all our minds. Each short session we will take Scripture and tie it to the appropriate pieces of theology (the study of God and the doctrines of God).

This first session we discuss the covenant with man. We are introduced to the covenant with man in the Garden of Eden by principle. It is not until Hosea 6:7 that we see the principle defined.

So, do the temptations that Adam and Eve faced in the Garden have any relation to the temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness after his baptism and 40 days of fasting? Watch and see 🙂

Jesus completed, in the flesh, what Adam was unable to do.