Trained!

Someone by the name of Leslie E. Dunkin has related having observed her father training a dog they had. Her father would put a piece of meat or biscuit on the floor near the dog and say, "No!" and the dog knew not to touch it. In fact the dog's focus never went to the meat. It seemed the dog knew if he looked that direction the temptation would be too much to handle. Instead, the dog kept his focus on her father's face. Therein she learned the lesson all of us need to learn when it comes to temptation; keeping our focus directed up to the Master's face.

How often has temptation gotten the best of us because that is where we KEPT LOOKING; at the object of the temptation? Our eyes need to move from it. Our eyes need to be lifted above it. Otherwise the enticing continues.

Consider a contrast between Jesus and three of His disciples. When Jesus went to the garden to pray prior to His arrest and crucifixion, he took Peter, James, and John further into the garden with Him than He did the other disciples. Knowing both what He faced and what they would, he exhorted them with regard to THEIR FOCUS.

We read. . .
"(40) And when he came to the place, he said to them, 'PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION.' (41) And HE withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and KNELT DOWN AND PRAYED, (42) saying, 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.' (43) And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (44) And BEING IN AN AGONY HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (45) And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, (46) and he said to them, 'Why are you sleeping? RISE AND PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION.'" ( Luke 22:40-46 ESV)

Jesus was in anguish over what He knew He was about to endure on behalf of the sins of the world. There was the need for a greater resolve to move through it. To do so, HIS FOCUS was kept ON THE FATHER and THE FATHER'S WILL. This is where Jesus twice urged THE FOCUS of the disciples in exhorting them to "PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION." Temptation comes in various forms, but always strikes at a desire or weakness within us. If there were no desire, there would be no temptation. Therefore we MUST FOCUS away from that wrong desire and FOCUS ON GOD with a steadfast desire for His Will to be done. Keeping the FOCUS ON HIM will also aid us in seeing the way of escape He provides. ( 1 Corinthians 10:13) May the reality of temptation prompt us toward diligence in prayer; keeping the eyes lifted to our Master's face.

Have a great day KEEPING THE FOCUS TRAINED ON GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Temptation