Tag: Temptation

A magnifying glass on my sin

Back in 2019 I was becoming increasingly irritable and snappy.  I found that my patience was in short supply and that I struggled to find joy and delight in things.  Perhaps it was no surprise then when towards the end of the year I found myself diagnosed with Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder. Things had… Continue reading A magnifying glass on my sin

Policing temptation with what we wear

Social media is a dangerous place to go if you are worried about causing offense. Twitter in particular is a place where the compression of communication can lead to a lack of nuance and much misunderstanding. Of course it works well if your desire is to be provocative. But plenty of pastors have come unstuck… Continue reading Policing temptation with what we wear

Walking away from gossip and slander

In a recent study of Romans 6, I talked about sanctification and how we are tempted to see the Gospel in the following terms. I enjoy sin, it brings me pleasure but at a great cost, the penalty of death. Christ pays that price so I am free from hell but in return he expects… Continue reading Walking away from gossip and slander

Through the Fire

Today’s #DailyDose from Isaiah 43:1-13 points to God as the Lord and Saviour who created, redeemed and calls us. We discover doctrinal truth -that Christ is fully God and pastoral hope that no-one can snatch us from His hand.

This isn’t the pandemic we were expecting

Whilst pandemics are frightening things we dread, when one strikes it can send a bit of an adrenaline rush can’t it?  That’s why we have been hooked by films and TV dramas like 28 Days Later and the Last Ship. Did the adrenaline kick in for you just a little bit back in February/March when… Continue reading This isn’t the pandemic we were expecting

Why did God test Adam with the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

“If God knew that Adam would fail the test and eat from the Tree, then wasn’t it unfair of him to set the test in the first place?” This is one of the questions we often get asked. The simple and short answer is “ He didn’t set a test” at least not in the… Continue reading Why did God test Adam with the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

It was the Russians

Finally we have had the report about Russian interference in elections. If I understand things right, there’s some evidence of attempted interference in some campaigns and none or little for others. However where there is no evidence of interference that proved that there must have been interference and the government have intentionally looked the other… Continue reading It was the Russians

Could Jesus have sinned?

In Hebrews, we are told that Jesus was tempted in every way, but without sin.[1] This raises the question, “Was it actually possible for Jesus to sin?” If we say “Yes Jesus could have sinned” then that seems to help show the reality of the temptation. However, it raises questions about what would then have… Continue reading Could Jesus have sinned?