Jellyfish

2 Corinthians 11:14

Recently my daughter and I took a walk on Delray Beach. A jellyfish had washed onto the shore recently, and it was still displaying its range of beautiful blue colors. We were careful not to step on it. Whether it is in or out of the ocean, its tentacles contain poison that paralyze its victim. When the jellyfish is in the ocean, it is translucent and blends in with its environment. It is lovely and graceful, and you would not realize the danger it possesses until you are stung with its almost invisible tentacles.

The jellyfish reminds me of Satan. He can offer himself, looking lovely and inviting, and he can tempt us in very subtle ways. He is deceptive and cunning, alluring us and beckoning us daily. His tentacles of greed, lust, and other temptations can reach out and grab us, infecting us with his poisonous sting either in or out of his comfortable environment.

Sin can sting us because it is presented in such an appealing manner. It often offers a quick route to financial gains or social acceptance; or, it may also masquerade as love or give a false feeling of security. Sometimes sin will invade our lives when we are unaware, but most often, it knocks on our door tempting us with delights. Sin prevents us from serving God effectively, and can harden our hearts toward things of righteousness. Our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus, but temptation is not erased from our lives when we become Christians. We must defy temptation by praying for strength to resist and by saying "no" when we are tempted. A temptation does not turn into a sin until we give in to it.

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my sins to the cross. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to me, so that I have the power to within to resist temptation.

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Contributed by Marion Smith: noles65@aol.com Comments/Feedback are welcome.