78 One Cigarette
Nick had successfully quit smoking for almost a year. It was a long and hard road, but he was able to resist temptation and was proud of his accomplishment. One night after a party at a friend's house, Nick found a lone lit cigarette, smoldering in an ash tray.
Oh, how intoxicatingly sweet was the smell of that cigarette! Nick could almost taste that cigarette in his mouth. He remembered the pleasure he felt from smoking in the past. Nick looked around him and slowly picked up the cigarette. Maybe just one puff, he thought to himself. Just once. It couldn't hurt. Just for old times' sake. It wouldn't be like cheating or anything. He could always put it out right after one quick drag.
Nick was about to put the cigarette to his lips, but hesitated. He suddenly remembered how his years of smoking in the past damaged his lungs, raised his blood pressure, and contributed to a stroke that almost took his life. Nick also remembered how hard it was to quit smoking and all the agonizing weeks of withdrawal symptoms he endured. He remembered the weight he gained and all the sweat and tears that took to lose that weight. He had come so far in the past year. Did Nick really want to go back to those past times?
Nick put out the cigarette in the ash tray, then threw the cigarette in the trash can. He wasn't about to let one cigarette undo everything he has done in the past year and ruin his health again!
Don't go back to your old sinful life. Once you have tasted the living water of Jesus, there is no point in drinking from the empty cisterns of the world. Once you start walking the light, don't let anything, no matter how seemingly minor, tempt you to fall back into the darkness!
- Recommended reading: Colossians 3:1-10
