Are you wrestling with a biblical limit? Does a particular temptation seem too hard for you? We have a High Priest who can rescue us.

“Hurry Mom!” My daughter called to me. “Cosette ran off. Max came to get me.”

I ran to the door and found my 87-pound poodle staring up at me. “Where is she, boy? Show me,” I said to Max. He raced around the side of the house and zipped up and down the line of the invisible fence that faced the wooded area next to a busy road.

An invisible fence surrounds our yard to protect our dogs from wandering. Since both my dogs know the boundary, half the time I don’t bother with their collars. Big mistake this day. A passing deer created too much temptation for my huntress.

“Cosette,” I yelled. “Come; come now!”

My heart flipped when my daughter spotted a blur of white racing along the road filled with five o’clock traffic. Finally, she pranced home happy from her chase. Then we noticed her limp—and a trail of blood.

The next day, both poodles clamored to join my husband and me on our walk. But Cosette’s injured paw meant she couldn’t come. She didn’t connect missing out on a walk with her earlier disobedience. I’m sure she felt like we were punishing her, when we just wanted to protect her so she could heal.

As those big brown eyes implored me, I reflected on how our own disobedience to God’s laws can leave us too injured to enjoy legitimate pleasures. And, like Cosette, we fail to realize we brought the loss upon ourselves. We may even blame God for our pain.

How Do You View God?

Some people view God as a stern disciplinarian waiting to swat His children when they step out of line. But the Bible portrays a compassionate Father warning His children about the consequences built into every sin.

The Bible portrays a compassionate Father warning His children about the consequences built into every sin.

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:14-15 (NASB)

Just as a burn produces blisters, so each sin carries its own consequence. Like Cosette not being able to join us on our walk, when the consequence isn’t immediately apparent, we fail to connect the cause and effect.

God’s commandments protect us from the burns and bruises of sin. The serpent tempted Eve to doubt God’s word and good character. The heart of temptation is rooted in these same doubts about God. Does God really mean what He said? Is He holding out on us?

The better we know Jesus the less power these doubts hold over us. Knowing our Lord’s holy character and selfless love provides the best protection against sin.

Are you wrestling with a biblical limit? Does a particular temptation seem too hard for you? We have a High Priest who can rescue us. And God has provided the help of the Holy Spirit to ensure victory. Here are some ways to reconnect with our Lord.

6 Ways to Connect with God when Facing Temptation

• Remember His Character: “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
  
• Pray: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NIV)
  
• Practice God’s presence: “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” Romans 13:14 (NLT)
  
• Walk by the Spirit: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
  
• Abide in Jesus and His word: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:5, 7 (NIV)
  
• Delight in the Lord: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

A week after Cosette’s escapade she was still limping and required a visit to the vet. God forgives us of our sins, but some consequences affect us far longer than the passing pleasures of sin.

The wise see biblical fences as protective guardrails, not as prison bars. How we view God affects how we follow His commandments. What benefits have you found living within God’s fenced in yard?“How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.” Psalm 119:9-10 (NIV)