The moment when we give way. Give way to what? Life, our soul, or something we think insignificant? I have written a lot about the basic elements needed to survive such as air, water and food. If we hold our breath as long as we can, is that an example of a breaking point? What if we prolong our agony by going without water until we reach that point? How about food? Mahatma Gandhi went 21 days without food and only had an occasional sip of water, during his hunger strike. There have been other cases where people have survived longer before they reached their breaking point. Some give way to temptation well before it becomes a life or death point. The desire to do something characterizes temptation. Temptation can raise its ugly head to do something that is wrong or unwise. I believe many of us have reached our breaking point aided by wrong or unwise council.
Do we submit to peer pressure to do something that our inner selves reject? Many of us, me included, are tempted by too much good food. We only need just enough to satisfy our basic bodily functions. Just enough is not desirable. I am tempted by the good stuff and the result for me is an over weight body. How do we resist temptation? How do we avoid being put to shame? “All who have faith in him won’t be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11) A more secular answer is to remain focused. I used to smoke over two packs of cigarettes per day. It took a lot of mental focus to break the habit. Is the temptation still there after 30 years? Yes, but much less a struggle now than then. I believe we can overcome any temptation to reach our breaking point. What will make you break? Will the deceiver break you or will you emerge triumphant, through your faith? Jesus broke his 40 day fast after much effort by the devil to tempt him. (Luke 4:1-13) Jesus ate only after the devil gave up tempting and departed looking for the next opportunity. There will be more chances to be tempted so be warned. We do not live on bread alone. We do not worship little gods but serve only Him. We do not test the Lord our God.
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