Our God is the God of second chances, but the devil has mastered the art of second glances. It can be an Ad for a new car, a visit to an ice cream shop, an incidental eye contact with an attractive person, or a salacious Ad that pops up on Facebook. Those are not sins. However, as a verse says in Casting Crowns Slow Fade states, “It’s the second glance that ties your hands.”
No matter how diligent we are, being assaulted by the temptations of this world is unavoidable. It’s when we stop for a second look that temptation’s hook pierces our soul and begins to reel us back into the world and away from our safety in Christ Jesus. This proclivity to sin goes back to Adam. We can read God’s warning to Adam’s firstborn son, Cain.
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4:7
Temptation is like a chipmunk
For a modern perspective, consider my office. My office is in a shed. We bought one of those wooden sheds that are sold everywhere. We had it placed in our backyard, and that’s where I’m writing these words.
I love my office, but it sits on the ground. So, last night, as I was publishing an updated version of my book on Amazon, I kept being interrupted by the sound of claws scratching under my floor. The critter – a chipmunk – was incessant in its determination to dig through my floor and enter my friendly, warm office. That’s how temptation is.
It scratches and digs, trying to get us to take a second look. If we give in, then it becomes sin and gains access to our souls. This danger is why it’s the second glance the ties your hands. That second look entangles us.
But here’s the good news!
“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.“
Psalm 25:14-15
If we love Jesus by obeying His commands, we are pleasing to our heavenly Father. Therefore, the God of all creation looks after us, and He will pull us out of the nets this world casts to entrap us!
So be strong, keeping your eye on the prize God has set before you. Don’t look back. Don’t take a second glance at temptation. God has prepared your new home. He has made crowns for you. He has prepared a celebration for you. The race you run for Jesus is so brief when compared to eternity.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
Image by anncapictures from PixabayÂ
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