Have you ever had an area of sin that just won’t go away? Even when you seemed to have had a season where you think “maybe, just maybe, I am over the hump” it comes creeping back in. Could be anything: an action, an attitude or even a lust that seems to control. Maybe it’s just me but I find myself consistently dealing with lapses of judgment that serve as sinful parentheses to a quasi obedient life. Let me illustrate it this way. There are 168 hours in a week and I may successfully avoid one of my many nemeses for 167.75 hours only to find myself face to face with ole Mr. Lust in an unsuspecting moment of temptation. There are times when I walk/run away and times where I stop to play. Either way my temptation and moment of battle is short in duration. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever overcome my lapses of judgement. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful prideful pride of life are as old as the garden as is the true deceiver of our hearts.
There us an old story about a little boy who asked his dad if it was possible to stay out of sin for a whole minute to which the father replied, “of course son, you can stay out of sin for a minute”. The son wondered aloud if it was possible to stay out of sin for an hour to which the father replied, “of course son, you can stay out of sin for an hour”. “What about a whole day” asked the son to which the father replied, “of course son, you can stay out of sin for a day”. “What about a month” replied the boy. Sensing the sincerity of the boy the father consoled him with the reality that though it is theoretically possible it is unlikely that he could sustain a sinless streak for a whole month. To which the young boy replied, “I think I will just try to live my life minute by minute”. Lapses of judgement are overcome with that kind of focus. Maybe I will remember that in my 15 minutes of temptation next time.
Life and times of the howitzers 
TEMPTATION
In the face of temptation I was always told to flee. It often ends in sin and perdition.
1 Timothy 6:9(ESV)
9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
They fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
However Gods’ Word is complete as far as the Christian is concerned.
1 Corinthians 10:13(ESV)
13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
And as far as I am concerned in Jesus we are complete.
Hebrews 4:15-16(ESV)
15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
On the other hand there is something about the devil in the book of James I need to tell you.
James 4:6-8 ESV)
6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Let us stay in the Word of God because Jesus says that He Purifies us through His Word. Sorry Tim; this turned out to be a little longer than I wanted.
IN HIS GRIP
Chuck Howi
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