We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Summary: If life is like a football game, everyone on the field is getting pushed around.
Continue reading “1 John 5:19 – A Messy Business”Matthew 7:6 – Of Dogs and Pigs
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.
Summary: Sometimes, Jesus’ parables are fairly easy to figure out. Other times they are more obtuse. Today’s passage is one of those other times.
Continue reading “Matthew 7:6 – Of Dogs and Pigs”Matthew 5:37 – Yes and No
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
Summary: Swearing an oath is dangerous, especially if you are swearing to do something in the future.
Continue reading “Matthew 5:37 – Yes and No”Matthew 6:13 – What is the Bullseye?
…but deliver us from the evil one.
Summary: We need deliverance from the evil one every day. If we don’t understand why, we need understanding, too.
Continue reading “Matthew 6:13 – What is the Bullseye?”Matthew 6:25 – The Antidote
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life …
Summary: Worry is a word that describes us imagining things that could go wrong. The fear that results from worry causes us to react. Driven by fear, we fall into the temptation to seek false safety.
Continue reading “Matthew 6:25 – The Antidote”Matthew 26:41 – Watch and Pray
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.
Summary: Understanding how temptation works and the battle between our flesh and our spirit is key to understanding how to avoid temptation and stay on track to follow our Lord Jesus.
Continue reading “Matthew 26:41 – Watch and Pray”Matthew 4:9 – Heart, Soul and Mind
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Summary: Sometimes our behavior is predictable, and when that happens the devil can use our natural instincts against us.
Continue reading “Matthew 4:9 – Heart, Soul and Mind”Matthew 4:6 – If / Then
… throw yourself down.
Summary: The second temptation of Jesus is a doozy. Satan appeals to Jesus’ ego to see if he can find a crack in the armor of the Son of God.
Continue reading “Matthew 4:6 – If / Then”Matthew 4:2 – The Mouth of God
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Summary: We turn now to the ultimate temptation and the ultimate test. God himself is tested.
Continue reading “Matthew 4:2 – The Mouth of God”Genesis 3:13 – Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?
The serpent deceived me, and I ate.
Summary: The greatest deception was a simple one, and it continues to deceive millions as we wonder what is all the excitement about.
Continue reading “Genesis 3:13 – Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?”