CHECK YOURSELF
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.” Psalm 55:16, ESV
Theme: When I can’t handle it, God can. Ask Him to come to your aid.
SHARE YOUR JUNK
It may surprise you to know that when Mike and I started talking about going into ministry, our pastor/mentor had reservations. The problem was me. He told Mike that his biggest problem in ministry would be that he had a wife who was a gossip. Now, that was hard to hear. But it was the faithful wound of a friend, and it struck me to the core. I share this with you now because – most of the time – I am no longer plagued by this sin. It can crop up, especially when I am hurt and angry. But not very often.
OVERCOMING
How did I change and begin to escape the temptation? Much like we discussed this weekend, I changed my environment and how I related to certain people. And I begged God to help me!
In the Scriptures, I found verses that spoke to me and my situation. There are many verses against gossiping and hurtful words. One in particular is still a great reminder: “When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, but one who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19, NASB). So, I memorized these verses and reviewed them often to remind myself it was sinful to gossip, not just a bit of fun and sharing with other women.
CALL WINDOW
Then, I planned. I was a stay-at-home mom and had one friend who loved to call and talk. When we first joined the church, she had shared all the ins and outs of our church community and she loved to gossip. She, too, was at home all day with older children and time on her hands. We had developed a habit of gossiping. I decided to only call her when I had a very brief window, such as needing to start supper in a few minutes or before heading out the door to an appointment. If we talked briefly, we seldom got off track.
PERMISSION TO INTERRUPT
Finally, I asked God for help. I asked Him to help me check myself: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalms 141:3, ESV). I asked Him to send His Spirit to remind me. I asked Him — no, I gave Him permission! — to interrupt me in any way necessary and give me 30 seconds to consider my ways and take His way of escape. It became hilarious how, at the hint of gossip, the UPS man would show up at the door, or my child would throw up, or some other such event would cause me to “stop, drop, and roll” away from the temptation. But it worked, and the cycle and habit of letting my mouth and mind run wild was broken.
Make It Personal: Let’s get real. We all have temptations to sin in big and little ways. If you don’t think that is so, maybe your sin is the prideful self-righteousness of the Pharisee. (I fight this one all the time.) In whatever area you are struggling, claim God’s promise that He will provide a way out. But also remember you have to choose to take that escape route. As Ice Cube says, “Check yo self before you wreck yo self,” a great principle from an unlikely source!
Pray: Father, I thank You for Your promise to help me avoid and escape temptation. Jesus, thank You for Your victory over sin that allows me to claim Your victory as my own. Spirit, speak to me. Nudge and convict me when I am tempted. Show me the way of escape. I give You permission to get my attention in any way You choose... and I will stop and heed Your urging. Thank You, God, for Your salvation, in the eternal and the everyday of this life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Galatians 5:22-23; Proverbs 27:6, 11:13, 25:9; Psalm 101:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV