STAY OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE

THE TERRIBLE TRIAD:

DESIRE

TEMPTATION

OPPORTUNITY

Each one in itself can be resisted without great trouble.
But when the three get together there most definitely can be HUGE trouble.

EXAMPLE:

You can be a chocolate lover and someone offers you twenty chocolate bars to eat....but just ate a huge meal and have a full tummy. No opportunity. No problem.
You can have a chocolate craving and haven't eaten since breakfast....but you don't have any chocolate. No temptation. No problem.
Someone can offer you twenty chocolate bars when you are hungry...but you don't like chocolate. No desire. No problem.
BUT if you have this craving, haven't eaten since breakfast AND someone offers you twenty chocolate bars.... you are in big trouble!

...... DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + TEMPTATION =....... BIG PROBLEM!

A silly illustration but it shows how we need to be very aware when we are in a danger zone.

We need to regularly examine the areas that we allow opportunity in our lives and to pray not to be led into temptation. We are new creatures in Christ but we have the same personality and DNA as before. We each know our weaknesses and what we are capable of. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Remember: you can build a reputation in thirty years and destroy it in thirty minutes.

Reference text:
2 Samuel 11
Psalm 51

Quote in Newsday August 1, 2010 from John Acquaro of Ronkonkoma, NY, regarding his recent status as a heart transplant recipient:

"ONE OF THE TOUGHEST THINGS FOR ME
IS TO REALIZE
THAT SOMEBODY HAD TO DIE
FOR ME TO RECEIVE
THE GIFT THAT I GOT."

It is for everyone, John, it is for everyone.