Dainties

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Psalm 141:3–4 (KJV)

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties."

What it is speaking to me:

Sometimes the King James Version just says it in a way you can't forget. I used it here specifically for the word dainties — an old-school way of saying something delicious or tasty. And that word perfectly captures the problem with sinful desires: they rarely announce themselves.

Sin doesn't throw itself in your face. There's no song and dance routine. No neon sign. Instead, it lays out a dainty — a tasty little morsel. And we take a nibble. And it's good. So another dainty gets laid out, and we take another nibble. Each one gets a little bigger, and the nibbles turn into bites. Before long, we're not just snacking — we're sitting at the table eating a full meal.

If sin led with the big, obvious stuff, the Holy Spirit within us would sound the alarm loud and clear, and we'd see it for exactly what it is. So instead, the dainties get carefully placed: small, seemingly harmless, maybe even mostly innocent looking. And because it doesn't seem that bad, we take the bite and quietly brush past that still small Voice of protest rising up inside us. The Spirit always knows where the nibble leads, even when we convince ourselves we don't...or if we're being truly honest, even when we just don't care.

Here's the encouraging truth though: the Spirit that warns you is the same Spirit that empowers you. You are not left to white-knuckle your way past the table. You have been given the ability to simply walk away. You don't have to take a nibble. You can avoid the dainties.

No nibbles necessary.

What is it saying to you?

• Do you have a nibble you know you shouldn't be taking?

• Why do you think we nibble on things we probably already know we shouldn't?

• How have you successfully gotten rid of something you knew wasn't good for you?

  
  

What are we going to do about it?

This week's challenge: Delete or unsubscribe from one piece of content — a podcast, show, or social account — that directly or indirectly feeds even the smallest sinful desire. One small step away from the table is still a step in the right direction.