For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. – Luke 8:17

I was speaking with my mom the other day on remembrance of a certain action when I was younger. When I was about eight or nine years old, we were staying in an apartment in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mom and my other siblings had stepped out of the apartment for just a short while and I was left alone in the apartment. To be completely clear, no…my parents were not the kind of parents that did this on a regular basis. They had just stepped out for a few minutes, but in those few minutes, I found a way to get into what could have resulted in a very bad ending. My dad, which smoked at the time had left some matches on one of the nightstands and me and inner curiosity, took the matches and proceeded to have myself a small mini bonfire right there in the apartment. I grabbed a trashcan, made sure there was something ignitable inside and struck up the first match, threw it in and immediately the smoke turned to a small flame. About that time, my mom and siblings came back in and well, let’s just say…I learned not to ever play with matches again!

When I look back on some of the stupid situations and things I’ve done in my life in regards to sin, I liken each one and wrongful action to that of striking that first match many years ago.

Why is it that we are so drawn to temptation and sin that causes us to briefly take our eyes off of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and continue to strike those matches in our lives. James tells in 1:14 that “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.“ and that “These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.“

Friends, we need to stay built up and stay strong in our faith. Every day, we are faced with decisions to turn away or turn to sin in our life. The stronger our faith and relationship with Jesus, the better equipped we are in order to be able to turn away from sin and defeat the enemy of our souls, satan.

Let me also interject a final thought. Every decision we make begins in what I believe to be one of our greatest battlegrounds we do battle in. Our own mind. Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind and dwell on negative thoughts, we will have a negative life. If, on the other hand, we renew our mind according to God’s Word each day, we will prove out “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” for our lives.’Worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and feelings of condemnation – all these are attacks on the mind. To live out a victoriously Christian life each day, we have got to come to the place where we recognize when to cast down these negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts on what the Word of God says instead.

So the next time you’re tempted to pick up that match and give it a strike, in other words, tempted to sin, carefully consider the danger of what it could cost you in the end. Instead, immediately ask God to give you the strength to turn away from sin and by all means my friend, put that match down and quit playin’ with fire. It’s never worth it.

May you remain blessed,