Day 2

UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES

When Eve gave in to the beguiling temptation of the serpent in Eden she expected to be a changed person with untold possibilities opened to her which previously God had denied. She changed alright - from carefree to burdened, from innocence to guilt, from love to fear. This all came as a cruel surprise to her and to Adam who chose to share her fate (Gen. 3:1-8).

When little Nevil's excitement died down it was replaced by guilt and unhappiness. He was basically a good little boy whose great love was to please. That afternoon he made a second visit to the shop and replaced the stolen game. He couldn't stand the feeling of being ashamed of himself and later he screwed up his courage and admitted it to his mother.

Fiona didn't cheat after all in her finals but she was surprised and appalled to discover that she felt like a cheat. She confessed to her amazed tutor and because of his unwise and angry reaction her misdemeanour became widely known in the college. She very nearly lost her promised job but fortunately a frank discussion with her boss saved the day.

Edward's new job was wonderful but his enjoyment of it was short lived. His underhand, disloyal actions were soon rumoured about and confidence in him faded. He resigned. It was many years before he and Richard were reconciled.

Temptation is not sin. It comes to us all. Giving in to it is sin and it brings about all kinds of unexpected changes in a person.

Are there some temptations which are irresistible - because of circumstances or the sort of people we are?

Look at 1 Cor. 10:13 for God's startling promise about temptation. How can we discover the escape route? Consider these texts: Psalm 28:1,2; 37:5,6; 55:22; 86:11 Isaiah 26:3; 43:2 John 15:5.