Matthew 6:13 AMPC
And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
"I have never heard of a sin being committed without knowing full well that I had the seed of it within myself."
Goethe
It's so easy to read the daily news of some dreadful crime (and there are so, so many these days) and say to ourselves: "How could anyone do that, I could never do something like that!"
The famous quote above is something to take seriously. We each have the seed of sin in our hearts. No one ever has to teach us how to do wrong. Naughtiness comes naturally out of our fallen nature.
Yesterday I discussed this issue with my nearest and dearest. We agreed that, under the right circumstances, we are capable of murder, theft etc etc.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus alludes to this:
Matthew 5:28 AMPC
But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Yes, we all have the seed of sin hidden in our hearts, all we need is the opportunity to carry it out!
So that's why Jesus teaches His followers to pray: "lead us not into temptation"!
In other words: "Please steer me away from the situations which would present opportunities to think and do wrong, because Satan knows my weak points."
I had to examine my heart in the light of this and stop pointing the finger constantly at others.
Matthew 7:3 AMPC
Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?
Selah
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