“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But whe you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor. 10:13
I’m sure you’ve heard of claustrophobia. This common phobia is a fear of being in enclosed spaces, normally tight or small places like elevators. Have you ever heard claustrophobia’s distant cousin, cleithrophobia? These two phobias are very similar, but the latter goes a step further and just doesn’t take issue with tight spaces, but actually spikes fear of being trapped in that space. I hope after you read this you will have developed a healthy dose of cleithrophobia.
Sometime prior to the Last Supper that Jesus ate with His disciples, there was evil lurking. The sin of greed had one of Jesus’ very own fiercely entrapped. This sin had control over his thoughts and his actions and his greed would eventually be the death of him.
While most other good Jews would be preparing for one of their most holy observances, Judas Iscariot had something completely different on his mind. He was searching out a way to make some quick money. The best thing he could come up with is to betray the man that he had spent the last few years of his life following and showing devotion to.
We’re never told that Judas had an enormous debt that needed to be paid, or had an ailing parent that needed expensive medical care, or even that he was so benevolent that he wanted extra money to help widows and orphans.
No. Judas was just plain greedy.
He was caught up in his desire for making some “easy” money. His hunger for money caused him to be caught in a trap that has the potential to ensnare even you and I. Judas had flirted with the devil and his sin of greed so much that he was now in head over heels and Scripture tells us that
“Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” Luke 22:3-4
It‘s a shame that Judas didn’t have a case of cleithrophobia, because he had become trapped by his sin. He had failed to realize that Satan himself had entered into him and that his choices and decisions were being fully driven by the sin in his heart.
I know this isn’t a pretty thought, but what happened to Judas could happen to you or I. When we give one foothold to the devil, he wants another one. Then the second one doesn’t seem so bad. Then before we know it, Satan is devising plans and schemes in our heads, and it all started with that first time we gave in to sin.
So I ask you, when it comes to the devil, do you have a healthy case of cleithrophobia? Do you recognize the ways that he tries so diligently to get you to sin? For you it might not be greed, but maybe it’s the way you choose your words. Maybe it’s the temptation to partake in something (food or drink) that you should steer clear of. Or, perhaps it’s with the busyness of your schedule so that you’re exhausted and more vulnerable to his sneaky attacks.
Here’s some beautiful hope, though. John tells us that
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b
The devil is strong and powerful, but he’s got nothing on the God who lives inside of me! If I rely on God’s strength and capacity to overcome sin in my life, then the traps of the devil will never prevail because I have chosen to allow my heart to be trapped by One who is far more powerful than Satan.
Carefully search your heart today and examine the ways that the devil tries to trap you. Then make a commitment to God and yourself to rely on the power given to you by God to stand up under the pressures of sin. Thank God for His faithfulness and claim the promise that He gives you so that you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear.
I’m sure you’ve heard of claustrophobia. This common phobia is a fear of being in enclosed spaces, normally tight or small places like elevators. Have you ever heard claustrophobia’s distant cousin, cleithrophobia? These two phobias are very similar, but the latter goes a step further and just doesn’t take issue with tight spaces, but actually spikes fear of being trapped in that space. I hope after you read this you will have developed a healthy dose of cleithrophobia.
Sometime prior to the Last Supper that Jesus ate with His disciples, there was evil lurking. The sin of greed had one of Jesus’ very own fiercely entrapped. This sin had control over his thoughts and his actions and his greed would eventually be the death of him.
While most other good Jews would be preparing for one of their most holy observances, Judas Iscariot had something completely different on his mind. He was searching out a way to make some quick money. The best thing he could come up with is to betray the man that he had spent the last few years of his life following and showing devotion to.
We’re never told that Judas had an enormous debt that needed to be paid, or had an ailing parent that needed expensive medical care, or even that he was so benevolent that he wanted extra money to help widows and orphans.
No. Judas was just plain greedy.
He was caught up in his desire for making some “easy” money. His hunger for money caused him to be caught in a trap that has the potential to ensnare even you and I. Judas had flirted with the devil and his sin of greed so much that he was now in head over heels and Scripture tells us that
“Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” Luke 22:3-4
It‘s a shame that Judas didn’t have a case of cleithrophobia, because he had become trapped by his sin. He had failed to realize that Satan himself had entered into him and that his choices and decisions were being fully driven by the sin in his heart.
I know this isn’t a pretty thought, but what happened to Judas could happen to you or I. When we give one foothold to the devil, he wants another one. Then the second one doesn’t seem so bad. Then before we know it, Satan is devising plans and schemes in our heads, and it all started with that first time we gave in to sin.
So I ask you, when it comes to the devil, do you have a healthy case of cleithrophobia? Do you recognize the ways that he tries so diligently to get you to sin? For you it might not be greed, but maybe it’s the way you choose your words. Maybe it’s the temptation to partake in something (food or drink) that you should steer clear of. Or, perhaps it’s with the busyness of your schedule so that you’re exhausted and more vulnerable to his sneaky attacks.
Here’s some beautiful hope, though. John tells us that
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b
The devil is strong and powerful, but he’s got nothing on the God who lives inside of me! If I rely on God’s strength and capacity to overcome sin in my life, then the traps of the devil will never prevail because I have chosen to allow my heart to be trapped by One who is far more powerful than Satan.
Carefully search your heart today and examine the ways that the devil tries to trap you. Then make a commitment to God and yourself to rely on the power given to you by God to stand up under the pressures of sin. Thank God for His faithfulness and claim the promise that He gives you so that you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear.
Comments
Post a Comment