To mark the beginning of Lent, the most HOLY season, we are reminded of temptation, and, of the NEED for abstinence! CHRIST JESUS, BEFORE HE, formally, began HIS Ministry to the world, was tempted for 40 days, and, 40 nights, without food, or, drink, by Satan himself, in ways we can only imagine! Thus, the Easter season, or, Lent, as named by some denominations, is 40 days of abstinence, and, celebration of the GIFT of LOVE, unprecedented, and, unimaginable by most, however, welcomed by the *GODLY*!!!Temptation; the significant measure of our strengths, or, weaknesses; the key to the downfall of Mankind! Definitely worth understanding, that we are enabled, to grow beyond it's restrictive bonds!!!
Temptation is the inability of the egocentric mind, to say no, or, to resist, what is wrong, harmful, or, binding! It is lack of self-control, OVER mortal matter, over that which, is NOT of *GOD*, and, IS, usually, hindering, dangerous, and, destructive TO the entire being! It is an undeveloped, or, untrained CONSCIENCE, being misled BY that which, removes it from health, happiness, peace, and, the reality of *GOD*!!!
Let us look at some formal descriptions of the word temptation!
From Wikipedia:
A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological (including feeling guilt), health, economic, etc. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into committing such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss.
From Dictionary.com:
1. the act of tempting; enticement or allurement.
2. something that tempts, entices, or allures.
3. the fact or state of being tempted, especially to evil.
4. an instance of this.
5. ( initial capital letter ) the temptation of Christ by Satan. Matt. 4.
We ARE WEAKENED, easily, by temptation, especially, that which appeals to more than one sense, or, to the egocentric mind; understanding the WILL of *GOD*, LOVE, and, abstinence is KEY to withstanding the onslaught of temptations, and, to overcoming them, once, and, for all, IN the name of *GOD*/CHRIST!!!
During this season, we choose to abstain from this, or, that, but, abstinence SHOULD be, in fact, MUST be, a constant in the life of a Christian, for it PROVES us to the world, and, encourages others, to follow, HIS WAY!!!
From Wikipedia:
Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure.This refers to abstaining from sex, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and, on the list goes.Because the regimen is intended to be a conscious act, freely chosen to enhance life, abstinence is sometimes distinguished from the psychological mechanism of repression. The latter is an unconscious state, having unhealthy consequences. Freud termed the channeling of sexual energies into other more culturally or socially acceptable activities, "sublimation".
Abstinence may arise from an ascetic element, present in most faiths, or from a subjective need for spiritual discipline. In its religious context, abstinence is meant to elevate the believer beyond the normal life of desire, to a chosen ideal, by following a path of renunciation...
I adhere to the idea, of the need for spiritual discipline/development/maturity; it is written that we ARE, to come into spiritual maturity, and, abstinence of fleshy matters, DO elevate the spirit ABOVE the world, thus, we are LIVING EVIDENCE OF *GOD*!!!
Abstinence is a disciplined choice, whether that be for religious purposes, or, to further one's career, win a race, or, what have you; it is a CONSCIOUS choice of discipline, and, DOES have it's rewards, whether, externally, or, internally, now, or, in the end!!!
Abstinence STRENGTHENS, and, creates character, virtue, perseverance, endurance, and, is based on HOPE, FAITH, LOVE, and, *GOD*, at least, in the contexts of which, I am writing!!!
In this HOLY season, we reflect on the life, and, character/behaviours of CHRIST, our LORD, who, PURELY, withstood ALL temptations, ALL sins; standing, SOLID in WHOLESOME GOODNESS, and, LOVE; which we, the devout, are expected to exemplify, through our daily lives!!!
To abstain, is to refrain from that which is unhealthy TO the body, mind, and, spirit; that, which, affects our walk with *GOD*! It is not that we have to give up ALL pleasure, it is that we need to discern, which pleasures are acceptable in a devout life! It is using the FREE WILL TO benefit the unleashing of *GOD'S* benevolence(s)! It is sorting through the being, and, determining which of our thoughts, actions, and, reactions, are premised on deception, and, which, are premised on *GODLINESS*!!!
Besides the larger, more visible issues to abstain from, there are hidden ones, such as behaviours, like anger, fear, fury, judgement, hatred, arrogance, haughtiness, idleness; well, ALL things which have a negative effect upon the spirit, upon life, upon others! Abstinence brings forth what is wholesome, what is good, what is right, what is healthy, what is enabling, enriching, empowering, and, encouraging, to self, and, to all in our paths! It is a beginning to mastering the spirit, and, IS, most definitely, as CHRIST, our LORD, would have it!!!
I have learned abstinence, largely, though, I yet, have one more thing to overcome; it has not been that difficult to accomplish, BECAUSE, I SEE the NEED to abstain from wrongdoing, and, seeking wrongful, empty, pleasures of the flesh, for, I died TO the world, IN CHRIST, and, it is my honour to TRAIN IN the spirit, that HE is GLORIFIED through me, AS an example for others, that HIS LOVE is reflected through me, to pierce the darkness of the world, as did the darkness pierce HIM, upon the cross/tree! I am FAR from perfected in my spirit, yet, the more disciplined I become, the more HE IS GLORIFIED, and, the more can witness HIM IN me! How awesome is the plan of *GOD*???
Abstinence, again, is a CONSCIOUS effort to CORRECT that which is NOT becoming of the devout! It is the RECOGNITION that certain acts, behaviours, and, characters, are NOT of *GOD*/CHRIST, therefore, they have NO place in our lives! I have said this many times; there is no half-stepping in our spiritual growth/development/maturity; there is no having it both ways, it is either, we live in the flesh, or, we live in CHRIST, thus, abstinence IS a MOST NATURAL testimony TO CHRIST, our LORD!!!
AMEN!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2012
BIBLICAL and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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