Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, March 28th, 2024
Maundy Thursday
There are 3 days til Easter!
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Daily Devotionals
Music For the Soul
Devotional: September 12th

Resource Toolbox

THE AMULET

Far be it from me to glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto Me, and I unto the world. - Galatians 6:14

The counter-charm that keeps a man safe from the enchantments of the world lies in these words: "Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was evidently set forth crucified." The secret of security is, do not look at the glittering eye that would fascinate you. And the way to do that is to fix your eye on something else. A man that has to walk across a foaming torrent upon some narrow plank knows that the only way to keep himself steady is to fix his eye upon something on the farther side. If he looks to his feet, or the bridge, or the water as it boils amongst the rocks below, down he will go. The one safety is, fix your eye upon the point to which you go, and keep steadfastly looking at that; and your feet will take care of themselves.

And so it is in this matter. If we are to have the power of turning away from these things that tempt us, and are thus to deprive the sorcerer of his influence, because we will not look at him, we must look at Jesus Christ. Hearts and minds that are occupied with Him will not be at leisure for lower and grosser tastes. An empty vessel let down into the ocean will have its sides bulged in far more quickly than one that is filled. Fill your hearts, and keep them full, with Jesus Christ, and they will be able to resist the pressure of temptation.

The true way to conquer temptations is not to fight them in detail, but to go up into a loftier region, where they cease to be temptations. How is it that grown men do not like the sweetmeats that used to tempt them when they were children? They have outgrown them. Then outgrow the temptations of the world! How is it that there are no mosquitoes nor malaria on the mountain tops? They cannot rise above the level of the swamps by the river. Go up to the mountain top, and neither malaria nor mosquitoes will follow you - which being interpreted is, live near Jesus Christ, and keep your hearts and minds occupied with Him, and you will dwell in a region high above the temptations which buzz and sting, which infest and slay, on the lower levels.

But remember that it is the contemplation of Christ crucified which has this power to elevate and act as a charm against the spells of evil. There is not substance or transforming power enough in a Christianity without a Cross to overcome the world. It has always been the case that when Christ’s death has ceased to be the centre of the Church’s faith and testimony, the Church has become worldly. When men have not had a crucified Christ to gaze upon, they have turned to look at the fascinators, and their very life has been sucked out of them. It is only by His Cross that the world becomes dead to me, and I unto the world. The victorious power of Christianity lies in the continual contemplation of Christ’s death for me.

Subscribe …
Get the latest devotional delivered straight to your inbox every week by signing up for the "Music For the Soul" subscription list. Simply provide your email address below, click on "Subscribe!", and you'll receive a confirmation email from us. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your subscription to this list.
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile