This Is Where Everything Changed

This Is Where Everything Changed

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

By whom the temptation comes


Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Without a doubt, temptation exists in Las Vegas. And temptation exists everywhere else in the world. Not that the temptations in Las Vegas are new, but they are prominently on display. The whole “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” advertising campaign acknowledges the temptations that are there and almost begs tourists to indulge themselves without fear of reprisal or exposure. There are some phenomenal ministries serving the Lord in Las Vegas to help those who have succumbed to temptations.

If you spend any time in Las Vegas you will see people who have succumbed to temptation. It may be the gambler who has spent all their money hoping hit it big one time or the person who has over indulged at the bar to the point they need help walking. Or it maybe the person who has given into sin, cheated on a spouse, and now feels despair, remorse. These temptations are not isolated to Las Vegas. But the atmosphere certainly seems to encourage temptation to be fulfilled. And at the same time, Las Vegas is a beautiful place with attractions that are not part of the whole temptations things. Great restaurants, museums, art displays, entertainment, etc, all can be enjoyed without giving into temptation. Vegas is just like in the rest of the world. My question to you is this. Do you have a friend that is susceptible to temptation? Most of us know someone, a friend or a family member, who is susceptible to giving into temptation. They may have a drinking, drug, gambling, or other more darker and evil weakness. It is easy for them to over indulge, and then fall into the cycle of denial, anger, remorse, commit to do better, and then fail again. Are you an enabler to their giving in to temptation? Do you go along for the ride, dabble your feet, but do not drown? Or do you stand by and watch the person fall? In all cases we can and must reach out in love. To not step up fails to fulfill that commandment to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But what can you do to help? In most cases, the temptation issues involve counseling skills you may not posses. But there is a skill set that you do have. You can pray, and you can talk. Each of us has these abilities wired into us. We can offer to pray with those lost to temptation. We can pray for those lost to temptation. We can talk, in love, about their problems. We can offer to help find the kind of assistance really needed. But if we are helping to perpetuate the problem, then woe to the one by whom temptation comes.  It is time to stop standing on the side of the road and step up in faith to help. Luke 10 and the story of the good Samaritan are a reminder of why we should step up to help those who need help. After all, everyone is our neighbor that we are to love as we love ourselves.

PRAYER: Father, there are times when we face tough choices. There are times when we must set aside our desire to continue on a path with our family or friends that avoids conflict. There are times when we must step out in faith to help heal someone lost to temptation and sin. Father, we desperately ask for the faith, courage and strength to do the right thing. We seek to reach out in love, and not anger to those who need help and do not know where to go or how to start. Guide us Dear Lord to be Your hands and feet. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.


No comments:

Post a Comment