Don’t

   It happens to all of us when want to do the thing we know we shouldn't do.  When we want to fire back to a snotty Facebook comment or eat the extra cookie our waist lines can’t afford, or slough off the task that needs to get done.  There is little voice in the back of your head that says, “Don’t”.  It may be small, and barely a whisper but let me give you some advice, listen to it.

    Don’t.  Don’t take that drink. Don’t click that link.  Don’t say what you know you shouldn’t.  Don’t succumb.  Don’t go there.  Don’t do that.  Don’t give in to the temptation.

   Just don’t.

   Think, how much misery has it given you when you disregarded that voice?  The quick drop of pleasure you get from not listening will quickly be drowned in the sea of regret at the consequences of ignoring what you are really saying to yourself.

   That voice may be weak and pathetic.  It gets that way when it is never listened to.  The strange thing is however; that voice is more like a muscle than you think. The more you use it the stronger it gets.  Even when it has atrophied, it can regain its strength if you will just exercise it by exercising self-control.

   I know what you are thinking, it is too hard.  I can’t do that. I just don’t have the willpower.  Well then let’s consider a passage of scripture I’m pretty sure you have heard but maybe not in this context:

1 Corinthians 10:13

  No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

   You wouldn't be facing this temptation if He didn't know that you can handle it.  Deep down in there somewhere, He sees that there is more will and determination than maybe you realize is there.  He knows that when it comes down to the moment to make the choice to give in or not, you have it in you to not. To overcome. To say no. To Don’t

   He wouldn't let you face it if you couldn’t. 

   On top of that, He will make a way to get away.  You see that voice is like a muscle. If you make it work too hard and too long, it will give out.  So He is going to provide a way to get out of the temptation.  You just have to be willing to take it.  Don’t be afraid to hit that door running and don’t look back.

   Don’t. Then don’t stop till you are out of its’ grip.

   Some of the most difficult things in life are not difficult choices but the willingness to make the choice. If you thinking that you should give into temptation, don’t