Sweet Temptation

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 SWEET TEMPTATION
 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
  (Matthew 26:41, NIV)
 
 I read recently about certain ants that have a passion for the
 sweet glandular substance given off by the caterpillar of a
 large blue butterfly. According to the article, the ants can
 become so enthralled by the substance they carry the supplier
 into their nest with great delight. What they don't realize is
 that the caterpillar gorges himself on the ant larva.
 
 Usually such a threat would be attacked by an army of ants
 and destroyed or repelled. However, because they enjoy the
 caterpillar's tasty secretions so much, they become "addicted"
 to it. In so doing they are oblivious to the fact that their young
 are being destroyed!
 
 In reality most of us are addicted to something. It may not be
 drugs or alcohol, but anything we habitually or compulsively
 use or do to avoid facing our inner unresolved problems (such
 as fears, hurts, losses, anger, guilt, inadequacies, boredom, etc.), is an
 addiction. It may be work, religion, gambling, spending, TV,
 eating, smoking, relationships, sex or any of a score of other
 things–some of which can be very tempting and very
 enjoyable.
 
 Of one thing we can be sure, when our life is being
 controlled by addictions, we don't grow and we can damage
 and even destroy our children, our closest relationships, and
 our physical, emotional or spiritual health. Besides, an
 addiction is often a counterfeit of the real thing and when we
 settle for the counterfeit we can stop ourselves finding the
 real.
 
 Only when we are ruthlessly honest with ourselves and admit
 to God and at least one other safe person that we are addicted
 can we get God's help to face the causes behind our
 addictions and seek the help we need to overcome them.

Bro. Fitzgerel