Antibiotics

Antibiotics

Matthew 4:1-11

Candace took the pill her mother handed her. “My throat doesn’t hurt anymore,” she said. “Why do I have to keep taking this medicine?”

“Dr. Benton said to take these antibiotics for two weeks, until the bottle is empty,” said Mom. “If you quit too soon, your sore throat might come back.”

Later that afternoon Candace stubbed her toe. “Ouch!” she exclaimed loudly. Then, almost before she knew it, some crude, nasty words slipped out of her mouth.

“Candace!” exclaimed Mom. “I know you’ve been working hard not to talk like that anymore, and you’ve been doing well. But what happened today? Did you forget the memory verse I taught you to recite when you’re tempted to say such things?”

“Ecclesiastes 10:12: ‘It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but the speech of fools brings them to ruin,’” murmured Candace. “I know the verse, but I don’t say it much anymore,” she confessed. “I used to practice it over and over in my mind, but lately I haven’t needed it.”

“Hmmmm,” murmured Mom. “Looks like you quit taking your ‘antibiotic’ too soon.”

“I took one of my pills just a little while ago,” said Candace in surprise. “Don’t you remember?”

“I meant your spiritual ‘antibiotic’—your Scripture verse,” explained Mom. “You see, even after your throat starts feeling better, you need the antibiotic to control the germs that remain there. In a similar way, you still need to rely on the Word of God to help you fight against your habit of using bad language. One or more doses of Scripture a day can give your heart and mind strength to fight against temptation.”

Candace nodded slowly. “So even though I seem to be doing better, I still need to use God’s Word to stay healthy spiritually.” NEK

How about You?

Do you fill your heart and mind with God’s Word so you can stand against temptation? Even when things are going well, we need God’s Word to help keep us from sin.

Memorize:

“Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil.” Psalm 119:133

God’s Word Fights Sin