A Tempting Scent

March 20, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 7:15-17 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     “Can you smell it?” The smell of a hot apple pie fresh from the oven. The smell of a spring day just after a rain. Clothes that have just come in off the line with that crisp scent of a gentle breeze in them. So many things bring about the wonderful sense of joy by a simple aroma.

     We are often driven by simply the sense of smell. Perfume manufacturers know this, and spend thousands of dollars testing and mixing different oils and spices to come up with one fragrance that will sell to the masses. Not only does scent entice us, but it can also warn us of danger in the area. Natural Gas Companies put a horrible odor in the natural gas they pump into homes to warn people if there is a leak in the line. Skunks let off a terrible smell when they feel they’re threatened, and in danger. The smell of a skunk is often so bad it will make you sick when you come upon it.

     Smells, even bad smells, will sometimes tempt us. I use to be a three pack a day cigarette smoker. At this writing, I’ve not smoked for well over 30 years. Most often, the smell of tobacco on someone’s clothes smells bad to me. Nevertheless, on occasion, the smell from the smoke of a cigarette will trigger something in my memories. Why, because it brings back the thought of something I enjoyed for many years. I thank God I’ve never given into the temptation. The freedom from that addiction that I enjoy today, far outweighs anything the momentary pleasure a cigarette could ever bring me. Yet, the temptations are there nonetheless.

     So just how does Satan tempt us? The answer is simple. He will tempt us any way he can!

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

1 Peter 5:8 says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I have found one of the best ways to guard against temptation, is to keep my focus on Jesus. What will you focus on today?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  March 20, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Joshua 21 – 24      /     Proverbs 7:15-17

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Deuteronomy 12 – 14     /   Luke 1:57-80