Take Drastic Measures, Part 2 Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Take Drastic Measures, Part 2-------------------------- Date: 9/23/2001 Keywords: "adultery" "cut off" "lust" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Matthew 5:27-30* 27. [Jesus speaking] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28. but I say to you that every one who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." 29. "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." 30. "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut if off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell." Questions 1. Are you disappointed with God over your weaknesses?   2. Do you ever think that if God were really all that strong, He would protect you more from falling?   Practical help Have you ever blamed God for allowing you to fall into temptation that leads to sin? If only He had warned you, right? There are at least three ways God has in fact warned you to prepare for temptations. First, this passage from GOD'S WORD clearly warns about how dangerous the slippery path of temptation is. Jesus is telling us, "If you know you are weak, do something drastic to protect your life." Secondly, God has warned you by the WORDS OF OTHERS, like parents, teachers and godly friends (like your friends here at eXXit.org). The third way God directs you is by giving you CLEAR THOUGHTS AND PLANS that then direct your steps. That quiet whisper in the Christian's life is the HOLY SPIRIT. If you are not a Christian, then this last and most important help is not available to you and I would recommend you click here to learn more. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Jesus is not blaming us for the temptations that are whispered in our ears. They come to us from another source. Also, it is clear that Jesus is asking His Father to direct our paths away from dangerous enticements — which is to say He is not blaming God for tempting us. If you have struggled with blaming God for your present situation brought on by sin, then it might help you to memorize James 1:13-14 which says: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." Bottom Line: Your thoughts must be controlled to have a good life. Don't waste time blaming God or others. You need to plan ahead for temptation and take the drastic measures to protect your life. Don't put it off, do it now. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."