“Don’t drink THAT juice; it’s mine!”
These were my words to our precious granddaughters one day. Of course I didn’t sound as harsh as that. My words were more like, “Don’t drink grandma’s juice. I have to drink it for my doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”
You see, I had mixed up my two-quart pitcher of “colonoscopy prep juice” and left it on the table. If you’re not aware, this drink “cleans out your body” before the procedure. Yech! I therefore tried to impress on my granddaughters that this wasn’t good juice for them, but more of a medicine.
By morning, I had downed most of that pitcher and dumped out the rest. However, I did wonder if some of that juice had disappeared. If so, it wasn’t much so I dismissed the thought.
A few hours later, my daughter, Jessie, told me that she and the girls had gone shopping. As they rushed to find a bathroom (yet again), 5-year-old Kayla said, “I don’t know why this keeps happening!”
Ha! Mystery solved.
I laughed as I shared with Jessie that Kayla may have tasted grandma’s juice. I smile now as I think of that little girl and her determination to find out for herself if my juice was tasty or not.
Human nature. Curiosity. It has been around since Adam and Eve. Don’t eat the fruit of THAT tree. Is it really bad for me? But it looks SO good. Temptation lingers at every corner! It threatens us in the very place of our weaknesses. But giving in to it always has a consequence.
1 Peter 5:6 reminds us to “be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
What temptations do you face? What is the consequence of that sin? Is it worth the consequence?
The Bible also says in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
God always offers us a way out. We can talk to him about the very thing that tempts us. And then we can trust in him to follow through with his promises.
And if we give into temptation? We can repent and know that God will forgive us because he is a good Father.
Hopefully the consequence of our temptations won’t have us running to the bathroom like little Kayla! Good thing this was long ago and not during the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020!
Cindy Dullum and her husband live in Blaine. She enjoys spending time with family, camping, writing, studying God’s Word, and being creative. She has a passion to see women grow in their faith and encourage each other.