Guard Your Heart

Daddy shared a story during his sermon Sunday that went like this: A boy was out in the wilderness when he came across a serpent, shivering in the cold. The serpent said to the boy, "Carry me to someplace warm." The boy bent over, picked up the serpent and carried him where the sun was shining brightly. Just as the boy was about to set him down, the serpent dug his fangs into the boy's chest, pumping poisonous venom into him. As the boy fell to the ground dying, the serpent said, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

Daddy shared that story to teach the congregation about avoiding temptation. You know that feeling where you convince yourself that "just this little bit won't hurt." And this can be anything you are dealing with from eating what you shouldn't to far drastic temptations like drug use, pornography or unfaithfulness. Now don't roll your eyes and say, "Geez, Mom and Dad, seriously, this is not a problem for us," because there are many, many people who thought they were safe from these temptations and failed miserably as they opened doors just a tiny crack ... enough to let Satan kick the door open.

Daddy gave five ways you can use to avoid temptation:

1. The Word of God. Immerse yourself in it and seek answers from it.
2. Pray. Ask for help from the Holy Spirit to guide you, give you courage and protect you.
3. Praise. When you are praising the Father, focusing on Him, you are less likely to venture into shark-infested waters.
4. Flee. Get outta there. Don't peek. Don't open the door even a crack. Remove yourself from the situation.
5. Be in Christian fellowship. Surround yourself with people who will not only hold you accountable but will also build you up.

There is a wonderful song by Casting Crowns called Slow Fade which dealt with this subject matter. The bridge lyrics say this:

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand a chance
You just might be sinking

Chorus ends with "People never crumble in a day. It's a slow fade." So use the above principles to guard your heart. Know that temptation is a slippery slope, so don't even step out onto it. Know that our God will give you all the strength you need to not only slap those doors shut, but lock and bolt them. Proverbs chapter 4 has much to say about staying on the right path. Proverbs 4:14-15 says, "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on." And later in verses 20-27, "My child, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."

At the end of Slow Fade, a little child sings this: 

Be careful little eyes what you see.

Be careful little eyes what you see.

For the Father up above

Is looking down in love.

Oh be careful little eyes what you see.

Make good choices.

Discussion: What of the above five principles do you do to help avoid temptation? Do you think you need to arm yourself to not fall into temptation?

Prayer: Father, Your Son taught us to pray saying "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Lord, we ask that you help us stay on the right path, seek Your will always, and be faithful to Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.