Taking The Bait

I looked down at the bottom right corner of my computer screen to see that it was 12:30pm.  Where in the world did the morning go?!  However, knowing what time it was did explain why my stomach had been growling non-stop for the past hour.  Naturally the next logically questions was, “What do I want to do for lunch?”It was a beautiful day outside so I thought, “I’m just going to take my lunch and drive over to the nearby lake and eat at one of the picnic tables.”  It was an absolutely perfect day outside and I was more than happy to get out of the office for some much deserved fresh air and vitamin D.  Not to mention it would allow me to re-focus myself with the Holy Spirit and get some quite time with him.As I finished eating I started to clean everything up so I could get back to the office.  I noticed a tiny piece of chicken had fallen on the picnic bench.  I didn’t want it to go to waste so I thought, “I’ll just throw this in the water and see if any fish come up to eat it.”I walked up to the edge of the lake and looked around for a little bit.  To my surprise there was a small school of fish sitting there waiting for me (like this had been done before).  I tossed the piece of chicken right above the school of fish and to my amazement half of them instantly swam away while the other half didn’t even hesitate going after it.I get back in my car and go back to work, but for some reason I can’t stop thinking about what happened when I threw that little piece of chicken into the lake.   Then God spoke me!The piece of chicken represented temptation (sin) that all of us face every single day of our lives.  Satan throws those temptations out there for any and all to take.  Those temptations can include alcohol, women, drugs, clothing, Facebook “likes,” Twitter followers, Television shows/movies, music, money, etc… If we are filling our minds, eyes, and hearts with those temptations it becomes a part of who we are.  It makes it extremely difficult to swim away from the bait when that is all we can think about.Then God gave me a bible verse to help combat the issue of temptation;

James 4: 7-8, 10 – Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you….Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (NIV)    

If you feel as though you are one of the fish that instantly swims up to the bait and takes it, don’t feel judged, condemned, or shame.  Today you can make a choice to do a 180 degree turn and go the other way (Repent).  It won’t be an easy process but if you take just 15 minutes a day to read God’s word with an open heart, I guarantee you will see progress.If you want a little direction on where to start I would recommend opening your bible, bible app, or online bible and start reading thorough Romans.As always, just know that we here at Paradigm Shift are here to help.  If you need further help, direction, or resources on this matter please don’t hesitate to reach out.We love you and we're praying for you!