From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

“Oh, just a little won’t hurt.” Do you find yourself saying that? Ask a recovering drug addict or alcoholic if that’s true or not. Just a little will hurt because they will be right back in their mess again.

Well, like it or not, we are all addicted to sin. It is the disease that entered into humankind with Adam’s disobedience. We crave what we are not supposed to have…and God says our minds are enmity (hostile) to Him! (Genesis 3:15, Luke 23:12, Ephesians 2:15-16).

And don’t think you are strong enough by yourself, either. You must maintain a right relationship with God and a knowledge of where you are with Him. Joab withstood a big test and remained faithful to David when tested to go after adventure with Absalom. But later on we see that he turned after the craven Adonijah (1 Kings 2:28).

After successfully getting through a big crisis, be on the alert, Satan will be glad to oblige you with “just a little” of something to pull you away from God. Stay focused on Jesus—He is your “point man” in battle. He’s “been there and done that” and knows where He’s going. Follow nothing else.

If you have remained true to God in a great crisis and trial, don’t let your guard down. Keep alert and aware; always remembering that unguarded strength is double weakness. The characters in the Bible always fell on their strong points…not their weak ones. Your only safety net is to be kept by the power of God and not your own! Endure the fire…it’s producing pure gold!

---