Christian Triggers

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Matthew 26:41

We call them triggers.  Triggers are places, people, things, smells, events, etc. that cause us to want to do something we know is wrong or that we don't want to do.  For example, the smell of alcohol to an alcoholic would trigger a desire to drink.  Those in recovery are taught to stay away from bars and places where this trigger might be prevalent.  Being around smokers would be difficult for people who have quit smoking.  Chocolate cake would be a trigger for someone on a diet.  

So we try to stay away from triggers if we truly want to be successful at overcoming and being a better person.  Since we didn't become attracted or addicted to these temptations in a day, we need patience with ourselves to overcome them now. 

As Christians, some of the things we don't want to do are actually  sin, such as mentioned in this scripture:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5: 19 -21

What we call triggers, the bible calls temptation.  Why, then do we put ourselves in places that tempt us to sin?  Why do we watch sexually immoral movies?  Why do we continually shop online when we know we are obsessed (worship) clothes, cars, purses, etc.?  Why do we have our palms read "just for fun"  or attend parties where there will be a lot of drinking and drugs?  And why do we "innocently flirt" with others at work, online, in texting when we are married?

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7: 20 -23

So the works of the flesh are sin and what comes from our evil thoughts are sin and yet  we set ourselves up by being around  temptations. We are surrounded by an evil world full of triggers and surrounded by people who don't think any of these things are wrong, but we know the truth.  We are not like those who seek only their own pleasure and self-satisfaction. 

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

We need to be aware of our triggers, of the world's temptations and separate ourselves from them.  We need to surround ourselves with like-minded people.  We can't leave the world but we don't have to be part of it. Temptation, when your conscience knows what is right, is miserable.  You won't be happy  so why put yourself in that situation?  

Be aware!

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in you. 1 John 1: 8-10

And don't forget that God forgives.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23