Get Rid Of What Is Causing You To Stumble

I had a cell phone with internet on it. There is really nothing wrong with that until you realize that it can be like carrying around a television. There is much to look at, some good and some bad.

My problem is that the phone became a stumbling block in my faith. I was looking at a lot of ungodly things. I was most vulnerable late at night when I was too tired to read or write and just wanted to be entertained. U-tube and other websites too embarrassing to mention became common viewing. It was getting out of hand. Even though it wasn’t an addiction, I was saying “yes” to them much more than I should. It made me feel ashamed and guilty before God. It was a downfall to my spiritual walk. What was I to do?

A week ago my phone started having an issue of not unlocking. I couldn’t navigate on it. The phone died. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I purchased a new phone-just a simple phone with no internet. There was a temptation to buy another one like I had with new software, but I would be right back where I started, a potential temptation that could lead to looking at things I should not be looking at.

I am not saying that you should get rid of your cell phone if you have internet on it. Many people make very good use of them for business purposes. The point is to get rid of anything that is a source of temptation or causes you to stumble. If these are physical items not needed for the basic functions of life then throw them away. These can be things like books, magazines, movies, etc, that expose your eyes and minds to ungodly thinking and actions.

Know what Satan uses to tempt you. Know your weak spot where you are most vulnerable. If you sense a strong desire to indulge in something ungodly it is the activity of the devil. Do away with it! Bury it! Don’t allow Satan to use anything as a temptation. This is what Jesus has done for you if you are a Christian. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us”(Psalm 103:12).

If you are holding on to something that is consuming your thoughts and is a source of temptation and stumbling, confess it to God. Then take action to remove it from your life. Romans 6 says it this way. “Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God”(verses 11-13). You will experience new freedom, joy, and victory. Has the Holy Spirit brought anything to mind?