Devotional – Why I Shouldn’t Drink Pop

Cola…Soda…Pop…The Sugary Temptress. Everyone has a favorite. Pepper or citrus based, each chocked full of sugar and caffeine.

Daily Temptation

They have a fountain machine where I work (I know, it sounds extra super fantabulous). It’s a perk…or a least meant to keep you ‘perked’ J. I go through phases of trying to boycott the soda machine. It lasts anywhere from a few days to a few months…but somewhere along the line I always end up back in a ‘sticky’ situation. I don’t understand why, it just happens. It’s not like it’s good for me.

Drinking Pop Makes Me…

Cons

– If I drink to much, it makes my stomach do flips

– My teeth hurt after to much soda

– Makes me tense and my jaw clenches up and is sore by the end of the day

– I feel guilty because it’s useless calories and not good for my body

Pros

– It tastes good for the 2 seconds it’s in my mouth

Four cons to one pro. And yet, I end up coming back to it every time. Sin is the same way. It might feel or sound fun for 2 seconds, but it always comes back to bite you. You end up with a guilty conscience, you suffer consequences, you end up injured physically, emotionally, or spiritual (and often all of the above).

Temptation is Unavoidable

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James doesn’t say give yourself to God, and no temptation will befall you. He puts it to you straight. You must resist the temptation of the devil. The good news is that those who are of God and resist can defeat temptation.

More often than not, we put up a meager struggle. Whether it’s being tempted to steal, verbally abuse or make fun of someone, view pornography or other sexual imagery…whatever it is…a meager resistance won’t be enough. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).” A lion won’t be tamed with the thrashing of a shoe string. It takes the crack of a whip; the whip of God’s Word. When temptation finds you, use the strength of the Word to drive it from your presence. Rely on God, and His salvation will save.

Visualization Technique: Next time you are confronted with temptation, imagine yourself in the mouth of the lion’s den. Visualize you’re whip…

Matthew 4:10 – Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve

Proverbs 22:5 – In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them

Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Reveal it to your adversary with the flick of your tongue, each word driving the lion further back into his den from whence he came. These verses here are just a few of the amazing scriptures to use (add your own in the comments).

Psalm 27:1 – The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Prayer

Lord,

Thank you for the gift of your Word. It is a comfort and strength in my weakness. Draw near to me in times of temptation. Help me to follow the straight and narrow path you’ve set before me. Help me to use your word as my shield and defense.

Amen.