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You know the typical stuff; start exercising more, getting more rest, trying not to eat Jack in the Box tacos at 10 o’clock at night on the way home from church.

Although the taco deal is a problem, a bigger problem was just watching what I eat and how much. The place of my greatest struggle with watching what I eat is at work. I decided to take control there and I brought oatmeal, grapefruits, oranges and enough Campbell Tomato soup to stock a good sized grocery store.

Now I have been doing pretty well but this Christmas thing has overtaken me. Everywhere I walk there is sweets. At almost every turn is some kind of cake or cookie. Today I counted five desks that had donuts, peanuts, Christmas cookies, and some candy for the season. This fails to mention the huge spreads at two different Christmas parties. There is only so much temptation a guy like me can handle.

I must admit I have stumbled. I have eaten my share of cookies and I enjoyed those donuts. I have even begun to rationalize it by saying I will enjoy the food now during the season but right after the first of the year it is back to the Campbell soup and oatmeal. I tell myself how bad can it be? I also tell myself it would be rude to turn down all these nice offers for food and of course I wouldn’t want to be rude. What kind of witness would that be? It is just a few weeks anyway, what will it hurt.

I have named my challenge the Temptation of Christmas (cookies).

I find in my temptation to stay away from cookies some issues we all come face to face with in our daily walk. Let’s take a look at them; it will keep my mind off the sugar cookies in the next cube for a few moments anyway.

A first thought is that no matter how hard you try to avoid temptation it is always out there. As a matter of fact the more you try to remove yourself from a certain challenge it seems the more it finds its way back in your mind. You must be willing to surrender whatever it is that is tempting you to the Lord and allow him to protect your thoughts. (Philippians 4:7)

Many times it is your friends who unknowingly put you in difficult situations. They may not know what your struggles are or worse may not care. For example they simple put the plate out like they always have and expect you to eat like you always have. Not realizing that you no longer want to take part in what is going on. It takes a culture change sometimes to avoid temptation. Sometimes you have to avoid the cube. Meaning you may have to change friends or avoid them for a while why you allow God to help you gather strength. That is why good Christian friends are so important and might I add that is why it is so important to be a good Christian friend. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled: Bad Company corrupts good character.”

Rationalization is one of the great dangers of our society. You can convince yourself with any number of reasons that whatever is tempting you is fine to do, even morally right. Satan loves to help your rationalize. Once you have convinced yourself your right, you are doomed for failure and heartache. If it goes against God’s word then don’t do it, it’s not right. It’s as simple as that.

Lastly you will need to look for ways out. I have had to change my route to avoid places where I know cookies are out. When people invite me to breakfast I have to have a ready answer like I am eating oatmeal. My example is trivial to someone who is fighting the demons of drugs, alcohol, or pornography, but the point is solid and biblical, God allows for ways out. We must work to take them. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Soon Christmas will be over, the cookies will be gone, but temptation will never be. Lean on the Lord, hang onto His word, and He will deliver you.

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Prayer: Deal Lord in our daily walk help us to avoid the temptations that will lead us into sin. Reveal our weaknesses to us. Give us a strong since of evil when it lurks around the corner. Help us to find the way out. We ask these things in the name of the one who loves us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.