The Blindside

Bible Reading Matthew 4:1-11

Focus Verse: And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

“I need a drink.” I had come to find myself saying regularly. Where had this come from? I wasn’t a drinker. There had been times in my past where I would drink from time to time, but after I decided that I didn’t want to subject myself to any other spirit but the Holy Spirit residing in me, I decided that I would no longer partake in consuming alcoholic beverages.

So where was this coming from? Why was this, something that was never an issue for me, now causing me to question my decision on drinking?

“It’s only one drink. You deserve it, you had a long day. There’s no harm in it, it will just help you relax.” All of these thoughts had started to cross my mind and at one point, I began to entertain them.

“There’s nothing wrong with one drink. It’s the weekend. What could one drink really hurt?” And then a portion of the church convent I said every month when taking communion, came to mind, “…to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating and behavior altering substances for recreational purposes.”

Often times we hear about the enemy using those things that we like to entice us. That very thing that has caused us to stumble and fall in the past. But what about that thing that hadn’t been an issue for you, now all of a sudden, blindsiding you causing you to consider it?

Maybe your blindside isn’t drinking, maybe its entertaining lustful thoughts that will lead to acts of sexual immorality. Or maybe it’s innocent frequent shopping mall visits or online shopping that leads to unnecessary spending or debt. All these things appear innocent, but if left unchecked has the potential to jeopardize your walk with Christ.

The enemy will do everything he can to trip you up and keep you from being everything God has called you to be. Don’t let those things that appear innocent blindside you where you find yourself unpleasantly surprised asking “how did I get here?”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for coming to my rescue whenever I am tempted. Your word promises me that with every temptation, You will provide a way for me to escape. Grant me the wisdom to identify what appears to be innocent enticings of the enemy. And when You provide the escape, give me the discipline to operate self control and take it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!