Trampling temptation

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:14

Ardent baseball fans will remember Kirby Puckett, who died suddenly in 2006. He had led the Minnesota Twins to championship victories in 1987 and 1991. Even though he was offered larger contracts by other teams, he stayed with the Twins for his entire career. When Puckett was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1996, his career ended abruptly.

During Puckett’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, he recalled the difficulties he had faced when growing up. His passion to become a professional baseball player was subject to temptation many times. Drug dealers and gang members repeatedly invited him to join in their destructive lifestyle. But whenever temptation enticed him, Kirby remembered that he had a higher calling — baseball.

Though we are urged to “walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called” (Eph. 4:1), we live in a world where we face distracting enticements. Maybe we’re offered a job that pays well but requires that we compromise biblical principles. Our calling is always to do God’s will.

When we are confronted with a temptation to stray from God’s way for our life, we must remember that we have a higher calling as servants of Jesus. — Vernon Grounds

When the powers of darkness come in like a flood,

The battle belongs to the Lord!

He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood —

The battle belongs to the Lord! — Owens-Collins

READ: Matthew 4:1-11

To conquer sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.

The Bible in one year:

• Deuteronomy 1-2

• Mark 10:1-31