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.
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