When Temptation Comes: Reflecting Upon Egypt & The Wilderness, Even Unto Praise...

Sitting, being tempted for a moment. Sometimes these thoughts come. Thoughts of going back to things I once relished--thoughts that those things would once again be somehow enjoyable.

The nature of temptation is to lie.

The present vein regards karaoke. Alcohol.

And since I have to endure the temptation, at least momentarily, it seemed well to elaborate on the process, as it seems to go...having only gone a certain extent privately, thus far.

It usually goes as this...

...tempted to think upon what it would be to spend an evening in such dark revelry as once there was. "For fun." Just to go.

And there's a very mild fear which rises up just at that thought, alongside the temptation to do such a thing--fear that I might be able to actually enjoy such depravity as once was the norm.

So, a two fold temptation, from the outset. Temptation to fear, temptation unto depravity.

Because it's not merely an alcoholic beverage that's the temptation, but the entire course of what once comprised many regular nights.

The thing is, though...

In Christ, Alone. Peace and Freedom.

Trusting the Lord is so very necessary, so very good.

And yet there's still a battle which periodically rages, as a desire to return to my own understanding arises again and again. 

These past few weeks, temptation has come from all sides. I've fallen numerous times, and continue to struggle. 

Even knowing on some level that it's His righteousness which matters, not mine. Because mine's insufficient from gaining any favor with God, regardless. It's Christ who makes me well, not my own efforts.

Grace.

Which...is all the more reason to strive against sin, for love of Him, desire to be conformed to His image. Even as knowing that He's the means by which all good comes to and perhaps through me...means that when I do things as a matter of pursuing fulfillment of my own understanding of what He wills, without regard to His leading, then still I'm being rebellious.

There's a depth to abiding in Him which eradicates anxiety, eradicates fear, eradicates doubt, and eradicates temptation. And it came clear for a good while, during fellowship with the Spirit over course of church service, a few weeks ago.