Simply Turn…

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So let me ask a question today. What does a child do when he sees something that frightens him? Does he stand there? Does he try to fight the thing. Nope, in fact, he’ll hardly look at the thing that frightens him. Rather, the child will quickly turn and run into the arms of his mother. So when did i get so macho? When did i make it my cause to stand my ground and be in a constant state of battle? If it’s not something trying to steal my finances then it’s someone personally attacking me. And let’s not forget the physical and mental challenges of just getting up in the morning. One gigantic fight!

I recently read the following and it made me think… but not until after a moment of frustration and even a little anger.

This is what i read. “You see, a close, intimate relationship to Christ should always be your soul’s only purpose.” No argument there. “Therefore, when you are tempted toward sin or toward outward distractions—no matter the time, no matter the place, nor the provocation—simply turn away from that sin. And as you turn, draw nearer to your Lord. It is that simple.

Seriously… It’s NOT that simple, YOU DON”T just turn away? And even if i could then what?

As i thought on this i was reminded of the story about Jesus from Matthew 4.

Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread. But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. When Jesus,  tempted toward sin or toward an outward distraction—after forty days and forty nights, in the wilderness, by the devil himself—he simply turned away from that sin.

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary. And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God. When Jesus, tempted toward sin or toward an outward distraction—after forty days and forty nights with no food, in the holy city on a turret of the temple sanctuary, by the devil—He simply turned away from that sin.

Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them. And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, Be gone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. When Jesus, tempted toward sin or toward an outward distraction—after forty days and forty nights with no food and being hungry-up on a very high mountain, by the devil—He simply turned away from that sin. And this is where i realized i had been missing the whole point of this. And as He turned, He drew nearer to the Lord. The little boy turned to his mother where he knew he would find safety and security. Jesus turned to the Word, to His Father where He knew He would find His safety and security. That’s how it becomes that simple.

Oh…, Remember my seriously remark, “It’s NOT that simple, YOU DON”T just turn away? And even if i could then what?” Matthew 4:11 answers it clearly, Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. It’s that simple!

At my best i am very weak. If i, in my weakness, attempt to attack my enemies, i will often find myself wounded. Just as frequently, i will even find myself defeated.

You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 32:8 (AMP)