Core scripture: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

Message: We’ll make this one short and sweet.  Think about that last word.  Sweet.  Pretty solid word for Halloween tonight, eh?  Oh, yes, this begins the season of temptation.  All that holiday food at our fingertips!  For me it is milk chocolate.  Smooth, succulent Snickers bars.  The creamy caramel of a Twix.  I’m not helping matters, am I?  I’ll stop.  It can all be summarized into one scripture: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15).  Amen?  This is self-control, people.  Who ever said the Fruits of the Spirit had to be in order?  Faithfullness can wait.

If I am to offer my body as a living sacrifice for God, I need a plan.  My plan starts tonight after the trick-or-treaters are gone when I call my good friend Terry.  When I can confess to him these temptations and know that he is going to be praying for me on the other end, it empowers me.  He is sure to remind me that God will always provide a way of escape regarding temptation as expressed in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Escape means avoiding it altogether.  Taking the opposite route around the teachers’ lounge buffet.  Escape means blessing someone else with the leftover candy I might have.  It means starting the log my calories on MyFitnessPal.

So much easier said than done, right?  I am right there with you.  Don’t give up!  Fight the good fight with me.  “Put on the FULL armor of God so you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).  Encourage each other, and when you see a victory, praise God in all His glory!  You can do this.  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).  Through His omnipotent power, you can accomplish anything.  Let that power crush Satan.  Starting today.

Challenge: Do you have any leftover candy?  Find a way you can bless someone else with it.  Whether it be sending it overseas to soldiers or donating to a local kids’ organization (how about your own classroom!), find use for it to brighten someone’s day.

Journal/Accountability: Write down or discuss the following questions with a reliable accountability partner.  Where are your areas of weakness regarding your diet?  What are some strategies that can help you overcome temptation?

Quote: “True discipline is really just self-remembering; no forcing or fighting is necessary.” (Charles Eisenstein)

Bible story: Read Daniel 1 and see how eating a healthy diet of vegetables was beneficial to Daniel.

Prayer: Father, help me be wise with my diet.  Let the food I eat be holy and pleasing to you.  Amen.