Temptation Is Not Sin

Beads of Joy 05-03-10

Temptation Is Not Sin
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Recognize Temptation 1/5
Hello Everyone,

We plainly know that temptation in and of itself isn't sin. For the most part most people know that it's usually temptation that leads us to sin. But once we are faced with temptation, we can plainly see that temptations has a way to bring out of us; a certain appetite we'd rather deny and avoid. In doing that we can see that recognizing how temptation will play a significant role in helping us defeat and stop temptation dead in its tracks. If you are like me, and chocolate is a weakness of yours and it tends to lead you into being a glutton like me; eating way too much of it selfishly. Why would you put yourself in harms way, by being alone at a candy store, or in the candy isle in Wal-Mart. LOL. Ok that example wasn't a hardcore one, it was a rather light hearted way to see the bigger picture, that leads many of us to the sins Jesus warns of us. Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41 Oh how true that is, the body is weak, the body has a mind of it's own in it's own desires and demands. So much to think about.

What kind of camouflage do our temptations approach us in? Are we able to identify a temptation in it's earliest stages so we can stop it? Do you realize that satan never tires when it comes to tempting us? I ask all these questions to have us think more about all these things. We must master our knowledge of our own selves. What are our weaknesses? What situations draw us into certain sins? Temptation is not sin, we know that; but same goes for alcohol, it isn't murder. It's the connecting of the dots, should we allow it; that make the two become one in the same. Temptations become sin when we embrace those feelings, know that they are leading us to sin, and we follow through anyway. Alcohol works the same way; we know it can impair our vision and our choices, and it can lead to dangerous circumstances. But we drink anyway, and then we drive regardless. And so risk the chance of killing someone. (I don't drink at all) We need to develop the ability in our life when it comes to temptation, to be able to see it, foresee it's consequences and then avoid it. Sin has a way of coming into our lives, and we (the sinner) have a way of just letting it in. I apologize if I over use movie scripts, but sometimes God allows the things we interact with, to send us a message that honors Him, I almost know this movie also verbatim to. I love the movie Fireproof, more so these past few weeks, look at what Katherine said to Kaleb.
Kaleb- Well you're wrong, you never assume that I would do anything worthy of respect! Anything honorable!!
Katherine - Honorable! Honorable? What were you just looking at Kaleb? What was on that computer screen? Was that honorable? Who do you think you're fooling? Do you know why your sweet little jester mean nothing to me, because that's the kind of man you've become. When you're alone that's what you default to, and there is nothing honorable about it.

Wow !!! That speaks volumes to many of us don't it. Just change the people saying those words and change the sin and this little ditty of script jumps out and bites you. Let's take out Kaleb's name and put in ours, and take out Katherine's name and put in God or Jesus. Now that makes this even more spiritually powerful doesn't it. And replace what your looking at, with what your holding, what you're saying, wow, we can really make this flexible to our own challenges to have us almost cry about how hurtful and mean they are when we do them directly against God. Here's an example:
Jim- Well you're wrong, you never assume that I would do anything worthy of respect. Anything honorable.
Jesus - Honorable! Honorable? What were you just looking at Jim? ? Was that honorable? Who do you think you're fooling? Do you know why your sweet little spiritual jesters mean nothing to me, because that's the kind of man you've become in my sight. When you're alone that's what you default to, and there is nothing honorable about it. I see and know all things Jim.
I got tell you, today, on a very personal note with this blog, I used that script and inserted ALL my sins, ALL my weaknesses, and all I seem to do is want to cry, my eyes won't stop tearing. Knowing how much I love my Lord, yet I do not honorably worship Him, and His commandments always. Instead I offend Him and turn from Him, when the temptations in my own life lead me away from Him. What a direct impact my own words with God's help, have affected my own life. This has been very moving for me to write, I pray that it is touching your heart in the same way.

Have the vain hopes and desires of this world misled us? How can we possibly allow the treasures and lusts of this earthly life tempt us to sin, and to offend God so viciously, and so violently? These vain thoughts are usually capitalized under that one letter, "I". Because it's usually the "i" in pride that leads us to the "i" in sin, and both of them are in the center of those words, making "i" the center of what we do. Yes I agree having things and money are needed and important no doubt in order to live, but remember these things don't last forever. Think of the things of this earth this way. Smoke draws a lot of attention; a forest fire, a bundle of wood, anything that makes smoke. So many people are drawn to see it, many are in awe of it when they look at it. But after a while, what happens to the smoke? ITS GONE.. and you really have no idea where it went, and what are you left with? ashes, dust, nothing. See what I mean. I came up with that while praying as I was writing this. We can be so easily tricked and mislead by satan. Temptation is not sin. Do not allow it to turn into sin in your own life. Every chance you get to stop it, stop it for the love you have for Jesus. I pray that you have all been touched by all this, as much as I have.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO