We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 1 John 5:18

It just happened AGAIN yesterday! There I was, minding my own business, near-perfectly in sync with God… when BAM! Mr. Temptation popped up from the dark alley, unannounced, and mugged me! It was so fast I totally forgot about my defense plan. And as I lay on the ground…broken and bleeding, here they came!

I have 2 junkyard dogs that I have been working with for sometime now. They are MEAN, well-intentioned and NEVER fail to pounce on Mr. Temptation, my sworn enemy. The PROBLEM is… they are ALWAYS TOO LATE! By the time they get there, the mugging is over! All they do then is hang around and lick me out of either embarrassment or failure. I have named them ‘Guilt’ and ‘Shame!’

You know the drill because it has happened to you. It seems that before Mr. Temptation arrives, we feel pretty good about ourselves and even believe we have the power to take care of that enemy all by ourselves. Until AFTER the attack. Sulking in sorrow, ‘Guilt’ and ‘Shame’ come running and bring with them a pity party!

Gu(i)lt comes from what I DO. Sh(am)e from what I am. Being human sinners, we are well aware of their viciousness. But also of their failure. SOMETIMES, when I see Mr. Temptation in time, I can call upon them, and their presence reminds me to take a detour! But honestly I am not always that vigilant. I need something better!

The verse today can be confusing. But it DOES hold the power I am looking for. The ‘ONE who was born of God’… is Jesus Christ! ‘HE’ gave me new Life and keeps me safe from ultimate destruction. NOT the dogs.. and NOT my abilities. It was JESUS who said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.(John 10:28). HE is the one that assures me that, since I am His, NO THING will ultimately take me out of His protective custody. Not even temptation or Sin.

I am working with ‘Shame’ and ‘Guilt.’ I have noticed that when the smell of Mr. Temptation is around… they tend to growl. I am learning that they are actually NOT MY DOGS! And that they are doing what they were meant to do. WARN! But because I am HIS, I am no longer a shamed, guilty sinner. And I do not HAVE to go down that dark back alley anymore! Woof… woof??