Temptation. Such an ugly word. None of us are immune to evil's seduction. Temptation may present itself when we are at our weakest. And our weakest can be when our lives are right on track. We become complacent thinking we have it all under control. Before long, temptation creeps in, upsetting our version of normal. The grass begins to look a little greener on the other side. Whether it be in our careers, marriages, or families, temptation can create a desire so strong it can lure us away from what is right. The fight between good and evil has been around since Adam and Eve. Eve knew it was against God's direction to pick the apple from the tree. Yet, evil convinced her otherwise. We are no different than Adam and Eve. But, due to modern technology, temptations have become more accessible in the privacy of our own home. Good 'ol free will.
With free will comes choices. There is a great line in the movie Little Black Book, "Omission is betrayal." If you feel like you have to lie or hide something, think twice about it before you make a mistake with irrevocable consequences. Society is so fixated on making ourselves "feel" better despite outcomes. Addictions, affairs (emotional and physical) and other poor choices we make only satisfy our perceived needs temporarily. Our "truth" is whatever makes us feel better. Fellow lay apostles, we must always follow God's Truth, not our own.
Today's Gospel (Luke 11:15-26) reinforces the need to combat temptation with Jesus in mind . . . always:
When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”
In Anne a lay apostle's book The Mist of Mercy, she beautifully illustrates where temptation comes from:
"But many of God’s children have wandered further and further away from truth and the enemy is making fools of them. We must accept that God’s enemy wants only our destruction. The enemy of God has an agenda for us that includes unhappiness and eternal despair. The enemy sends temptation. When a person falls prey to a temptation and commits a sin or even merely an action that pulls the soul from goodness, the enemy exults. The enemy mocks humanity and works tirelessly to sow seeds of restlessness and anger, frustration and bitterness. All people should understand that just as God loves, the devil hates."
Today, let's choose God's truth. If you are in the middle of something you know could be detrimental to a loved one, or yourself, stop. Stop and do the right thing. It's not always easy, but when you choose good over evil, He will provide the graces needed to get you through.
Thank you, Lord, for helping me to choose Your Truth. Evil can hit me with its best shot, because I have no fear with You in my corner!
God bless,
Bonnie
With free will comes choices. There is a great line in the movie Little Black Book, "Omission is betrayal." If you feel like you have to lie or hide something, think twice about it before you make a mistake with irrevocable consequences. Society is so fixated on making ourselves "feel" better despite outcomes. Addictions, affairs (emotional and physical) and other poor choices we make only satisfy our perceived needs temporarily. Our "truth" is whatever makes us feel better. Fellow lay apostles, we must always follow God's Truth, not our own.
Today's Gospel (Luke 11:15-26) reinforces the need to combat temptation with Jesus in mind . . . always:
When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”
In Anne a lay apostle's book The Mist of Mercy, she beautifully illustrates where temptation comes from:
"But many of God’s children have wandered further and further away from truth and the enemy is making fools of them. We must accept that God’s enemy wants only our destruction. The enemy of God has an agenda for us that includes unhappiness and eternal despair. The enemy sends temptation. When a person falls prey to a temptation and commits a sin or even merely an action that pulls the soul from goodness, the enemy exults. The enemy mocks humanity and works tirelessly to sow seeds of restlessness and anger, frustration and bitterness. All people should understand that just as God loves, the devil hates."
Today, let's choose God's truth. If you are in the middle of something you know could be detrimental to a loved one, or yourself, stop. Stop and do the right thing. It's not always easy, but when you choose good over evil, He will provide the graces needed to get you through.
Thank you, Lord, for helping me to choose Your Truth. Evil can hit me with its best shot, because I have no fear with You in my corner!
God bless,
Bonnie
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