Antibiotics (Read Matthew 4:1-11)

Candy took the pill Mother handed her. "My throat doesn't hurt anymore,: she said. "Why do I have to keep taking this medicine?"

"Dr. Binns said to take these antibiotics for two weeks, until the bottle is empty," said Mother. "If you quit too soon, your sore throat might come back."

Later that afternoon Candy stubbed her toe. "Ouch!" she exclaimed loudly. Then, almost before she knew it, some crude, nasty words slipped out of her mouth. "Candy!" exclaimed Mother. "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, "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious," murmured Candy. "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."

"Hmmmmmmmm," murmured Mother. "Looks like you quit taking your 'antibiotic' too soon."

"I took one of my pills just a little while ago," said Candy in surprise. "Don't you remember?"

"I meant your spiritual 'antibiotic' -your Scripture verse," explained Mother. "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 does of Scripture a day can give your heart and mind strength to fight against temptation."

Can nodded slowly. "So even though I seem to be doing better, I still need to use God's Word to keep from having a relapse,"

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, you need God's Word to help keep you from sin.

Key:  God's Word Fights Sin

Memorize: "Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me" 
                                                                                                Psalm 119:133  NIV

This is out of the book "The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids"  BUY IT  Copyright @ 1993 Children's Bible Hour

Updated 5/2/02