Author’s challenge: In the 1st image, which of these two apples is poisonous? My answer is at the end of today’s post.
Heredity
Because of my spiritual family tree, I have an unfortunate condition; I’m addicted to poison apples. Succulent, crisp, sweet or tangy, this fruit haunts me. The first bite never disappoints. Juicy, delicious—and I take a second mouthful. When I am not indulging, I think about this tasty fruit often. Yet, in the back of my mind, I know the poison apples I crave are meant to destroy me.
I constantly battle with myself—my desire vs. my inner wisdom.
You know what I am talking about—you crave poison apples too. The Bible calls them “temptations.”
The Poison Apple Giver
As a young believer, I thought the devil only tempted Jesus three times in the wilderness. But both Mark and Luke give us a clearer picture. Check the Scripture; Satan bombarded Jesus with every “poison apple” he could think of, for 40 days.
The Devil was a relentless enemy.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. (Luke 4:1-2 NIV)
Jesus treated every temptation, large and small, as deadly serious. He understood a truth we conveniently forget; our enemy is out to destroy us. This means none of Satan’s temptations are ever harmless or minor.
Just a Tiny Drop of Poison
Each temptation contains only a little poison. The effect is minimal. But like arsenic, the poison slowly accumulates. One day, you tell a ‘little white lie.’ It doesn’t hurt anyone and it saves you embarrassment. So you tell another. What’s the harm?
Soon personal dishonesty becomes a handy tool in your toolbox. Until one day the poison accumulates to toxic levels. Your lies begin damaging key relationships. Trust evaporates. You repeatedly break promises to your family and lose your children’s respect. Or cheat on your income tax and get penalized by the IRS. Omit telling your doctor about a drug habit and wake up in Intensive Care. Or lie while under oath and face perjury charges, with possible jail time.
False Advertising
Saying yes to any temptation is foolish. Munching poisoned apples frequently leads to grieving hearts and ruined lives. It’s meant to. Our enemy designed it that way. He’s the master of false advertising. In contrast, Jesus is the master of redeeming lost souls and healing broken lives.
So, which master are you going to obey?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV)
All images come from Pixabay.com.
Resources:
This modified post has been re-published here with permission from the website Christian Devotions at christiandevotions.us.
Which apple is poisoned?
Author’s Answer:
The dangerous apple isn’t the yellow apple on the bottom. Dried up, discolored and wizened, it’s an apple no one would eat.
Instead, the poison has been placed in the fresh, bright red apple, which looks so juicy and delicious.
