“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

“It’d been a while since we’d eaten there. It IS one of our favorite places to eat! NO place makes nachos like THAT place. You’ve been a good boy for so long, what could it hurt? Besides, you both deserve it… enjoy! You’ve gotten through it before so… just stop worrying and go for it!” 6 little sentences, coupled with feeling and desires… and I was off!

It was that time of day… dinnertime. We had just worked out at the gym, something that neither of us likes to do, and we were both hungry. We were only a mile and a half from the restaurant anyway and, sweating as we were, we both felt like we deserved a treat. So nachos at our favorite place came to mind. The problem is, my stomach can’t handle them.

Katie has a cast iron stomach. The hotter and spicier the food for her, the better. Since my bride loves those nachos, I had hatched the plan, brushed past the objections with little difficulty, and presented the idea to her! She beamed! “Are you sure you can handle it though,” she asked. “For you honey… absolutely!” was my immediate response. HAAAAA!

Desire and self deceit are a marriage born in hell. Sadly, I have the ability to talk myself into almost anything I REALLY desire badly. Sometimes it takes longer for desire to get the job done, but the stronger the desire, the stronger and tougher the battle will be. Replace ‘nachos’ with a personal favorite thing that God calls a sin and… well… all the worse.

I paid the price for the nacho thing! It took about 2 hours before my stomach turned into a ball of acid indigestion. Popping antacids like candy, I was smart enough NOT to make a vow to never do THAT again, since it would only make me out to be a liar. But I did wonder what was wrong with me. To do what I do, even though I know I shouldn’t… (Romans 7)

I thank God for Jesus Christ.. who paid for ALL my sin. The closer I walk with Him, the more clearly I see that HIS way is the best. And then do it! How do YOU deal with desire and temptation? Has Jesus rescued YOU?