Nougat 21

In today’s Holy Nougat, we address the clues and context of temptation

“The next day, as the soldiers were traveling and approaching the city, Peter went up to the rooftop to pray, at about the sixth hour. Now he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance … A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”” Acts‬ ‭10:10, 13‬ ‭TLV‬‬

How did Peter know that it wasn’t hunger affecting him (ie so hungry he could not see straight)? And did he really need that food? Again it’s the little details that make the difference.

From the first verse here we’re told that Peter was praying. He was in a spiritual space of expectancy. And since we’re told he was in a trance, we can assume he wasn’t hallucinating at all, but was having an ‘open vision’ (ie while awake).

Further, for those of us who get hungry to the point of seeing visitors, wouldn’t it be more likely that he would see his favorite food? Lamb, fish, stuffed quails and bread of sort; maybe even grapes Instead Bro Simon saw EVERY single variety of unclean, un-dead Animals.

And yes, he was at the tanner’s house; but HE was being told to do the slaughtering. Erm … not that desperate, not that hungry. Moreover; he KNEW that Real Food, breakfast food in fact, was being prepared for him downstairs inside the house. So NO, Simon was not obliged to eat the uncooked, unclean meat offered to him. And though he was alone in the vision; he would always know the truth, and God would know.

You see, sometimes when we jump head first into temptation; we find Every possible justification for our actions. Like Adam, many of us try to hold others accountable for our stupidity and sin, rather than take responsibility. But the context clues we just visited in Peter’s story assure us of the veracity in 1 Corinthians 10:13 – EVERY temptation carries God’s Exit sign.

And yes, I do believe that God is very much aware of our actions and decisions, especially when others have no clue. For each of us, that’s our first Exit sign. We know that if we even hesitate as though considering that Exit; God provides the rest.

Then we move forward with God’s direction by Faith, which sees us through the moment. Not always easy but definitely doable.

For all the temptation we face dear Y’shua help us turn to You so we can overcome. Forgive us our stupid moments when fear or desire overtake us and we falter. At those times we ask You to help us make our way back to the safety of You. Take control once again we pray please Y’shua amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ