To be fully HUMAN — A Daily Reflection

 

 

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

 

Long before Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were faced with the temptation of the delicious meat and wine from the king’s table, they had made the commitment to stick by God’s word and to follow God’s laws.  So, when they were faced with the temptation, it was easy for them to resist.  They were prepared.

 

How about you and me?  We say we don’t want to give in to temptation, but do we truly prepare ourselves for facing those temptations like these four young men did?  Let’s look at a simple one.  We know that our bodies are temples of God.  We know that we are supposed to take care of our bodies and not to defile them with things like illegal drugs, illicit sex, or (oh, my goodness!) over-eating.  That last problem - the battle of the bulge - is common to a large number of people.  In fact, considering how many different “diets” there are, not to mention cover blurbs on virtually every magazine on grocery store shelves about “fast” weight loss, it would seem that problem is nearly universal.  But how many of us look at losing weight and keeping fit as a spiritual challenge?  How many of us study God’s word to learn how to deal with the temptation of overeating?  How many of us prepare ourselves ahead of time to deal with the temptation of delicious food?  So, when faced with cooking a meal or shopping at the grocery store or eating out, we instantly fall back on old habits, give in to temptation, and eat anything and everything that we want. 

 

The same principle applies to all forms of temptation.  If we think about situations that might come to tempt us, if we study God’s word to know what He has to say about those things that tempt us, if we pray in advance - before we’re tempted - we will be prepared to face those temptations when they arise… and to face them God’s way.

 

Wouldn’t today be a good time to start being prepared to face those things that tempt you the most?  Do this… make a list (be honest, now!) of all those things that might come to tempt you.  For instance, when it comes to food, my big downfall is really good homemade fudge and a particular brand of Dutch Chocolate ice cream.  What’s yours?  Study God’s word to see what He has to say about each one of them, looking specifically for ways that He might give you a “way out” when faced with each one.  Obviously, I won’t find that fudge or ice cream mentioned specifically in the Bible, but I will find what God says about overeating. (eg. Exodus 16; Numbers 11:32-33; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Proverbs 23:2)  Then pray that He will give you the strength to follow through on your commitment.  If you are prepared, then you - like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – will be better able to withstand any temptation, no matter how enticing it is.

 

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out that you can stand up under it."  1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV