Putting the Brakes On Temptation

I found this article on the internet on "How to Change Your Brake Pads"... and the first line really intrigued me:

"Nothing is more important than your car's ability to stop itself."

As I pondered that statement, I thought about the incredible insight it gives us into all kinds of areas in life... especially temptation. When it comes to temptation, nothing is more important for us than knowing how to stop ourselves... No matter whether the temptation has to do with food, anger, lying, money, or sex... our ability to stop ourselves... putting on the brakes... can keep us from a world of trouble.

A few lines down in the article, though, another line really floored me:

"Braking systems often fail us -- usually from our own neglect."

Isn't this true in our lives, as well?? We neglect to take care of our life's braking system - being intentional in exercising self-control - and, when it matters most, we find that our brakes have been worn so thin that we end up crashing, causing harm to ourselves... and often to others, as well.

The truth is... you usually can see red lights from a pretty far distance. And, when you see them, you're supposed to start hitting the brakes! Don't wait until you get right at the light to put on the brakes... that's dangerous! You're asking for trouble! When you see that red light, start hitting your brakes!

That's true for cars...

And it's true for us, as well.

I don't want to crash in life as a church planter and pastor because of neglecting my braking system... I hope you don't, either.

The red lights are there... we just have to look for them... and put on the brakes.

"Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:14-15).