Can I do it till I need glasses?

There is an old joke that I will modify for the sake of content, but it goes something like this.

A mother catches her young son picking his nose. Disgusted by it she immediately ponders a course of corrective action. An idea comes to mind so she sits him down and says; “Johnny I know it seems natural to pick your nose and lots of people do it. But if you keep picking your nose it will make you go blind!”
Johnny thinks about it for a minute and replies: “Well Ok Mom, but can I do it until I need glasses?”

I think so many times that we take the same approach to bad habits and sometimes even sin. We think; “I know smoking is bad, but I’ll quit when I notice a persistent cough”. Or, “I know chewing tobacco is bad, but I’ll quit when I notice a problem with my teeth or gums”. Or, “I know looking at dirty pictures is wrong but I will stop when I get married”. Or, I know flirting with my co-worker is wrong, but I will quit if it ever gets serious”. Or,… you insert what you are holding on to.

For me it has been chewing tobacco. I chewed as a teenager and quit for almost 30 years, after having reconstructive oral surgery. Why I started again is beyond me, but after several inconspicuous hints form God, and quite a bit of overt expression of dissatisfaction from my family… I have decided to make a go of it again. For me it is not a big deal… but two passages come to mind when I contemplate what I am doing and how it relates to my walk with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Romans 14:13-21 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

Referring to the first verse, I think it is a fair statement to make to say that; “using tobacco causes a hunger for more of it and it desires to master you”.

And referring to the second verse, I know that using tobacco is among the many things that can cause some one to stumble. Sure, I can use it in private so as not to cause some one to stumble… but it goes back to the mastery thing, eventually you will use it in public or around someone you think is ok… but, they may tell some one, who tells some one, until it eventually finds its way to an audience that does stumble… so what is the better choice? Do I really need it that bad anyway? And not to mention there are additional health concerns that can leave my children fatherless and my wife a widow!

God calls us to lead a life that is Holy, just as he is Holy.

1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

So now the question is pointed to you… what is trying to master you?

What is it in your life that may cause someone to stumble?

What is it that is keeping you from being presented to God as Holy?

Did you become a Christian to buy your fire insurance policy, or did you sign up to serve Him?

Ask Him today to reveal to you where you may be leading others astray, or what may be keeping you from being Holy! Then when He shows you… Do what He says about it!