As a child walks into a candy store their eyes open wide, a smile comes across their face and they are mesmerized by all the color around them. They get excited, and go from piece to piece not wanting just one,but wanting all they see. As parents we know only one piece would be good for them at the moment, knowing if they ate too much they would only end up with a belly ache and a sick feeling washing over them. Sin is the same for us. We can be so temptated by all around us that we don't just want one thing, we want it all, even when we have no money to afford the things we want so badly. Wanting something that catches our eye so badly at times can overtake our thoughts and the images in our mind. Even though we too know it isn't good for us, it looks so inviting, how could it possibly be bad for us? We begin to make excuses for the things we want, and try to come up with reason why we should have it. Temptation is eye catching, satan set it up that way. What good would it be to walk into a candy store filled with vegtables for a child? They would soon walk away not wanting anything in sight. Just as those who go to gamble, one time turning that handle isn't enough. Soon it overtakes their being, thinking that one more turn and they will have won all, only in the end to have spent all the money they had saved for the house payment. Anything can be a temptation if we do not have self control. We must wake up, and keep our eyes open and keep wisdom at the tip of our tongue, and God's word in our hearts to face all around us. We need to be able to tell ourselves that what we see is not what we need at the moment. Why do you think as you go to the check out lane at the grocery store, all the candy is at eye level for children? They know the child will be tempted, and as he is told no, he may throw a fit and his mother will give in to hush him. Is that what happens to us? Do we allow ourselves to give in, only to hush the need calling inside us for the moment? Only later to cry out, asking ourselves,"Why did I do that? Why did I spend all I had? Why did I say those words,telling a lie about how much I really spent and what I spent it on?" Just as we tell our children no, we need to learn the word no ourselves. When was the last time you were in the candy store? What is it that catches your eye? Instead of walking in the candy store and being tempted, may we learn to walk a way of self disipline and learn to know our temptations, and begin to know how to stay away from them, allowing God to teach us new things to desire to fill us like no candy ever can.."Do you not understand whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." Matthew 15:17-18 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:4-5
