Do you have a virus?

I've been without a computer for a while..... a virus was the culprit!  I became victim to an old trick that has been updated.  I received a message stating that I had contracted a virus and I needed to run my virus software to find it and get rid of it.  Well, this wasn't the first time I've seen that trick so I did not click on the yes or no button, instead I clicked on the X in the top right hand corner to get me out of it.  OOPS!!!  Wrong thing to do.  Because I clicked ANYWHERE in the box, I was doomed.  I was not on a new website, I had not clicked on something that was forwarded to me and I certainly had not opened an attachment, I was just surfing the web and the message came up.

I started thinking that our lives are just like computers and we can pick up viruses at times we least expect it. It can be so easy for sin to sneak into our lives.  We all know that we must guard our hearts and minds by being careful what we watch on TV, but sometimes if we are not careful, we will get a virus through something as "simple" as a commercial.  Other times it comes in through our favorite show that has nothing wrong with it until something is "slipped" in that we ought not to be watching or listening to.  Perhaps our favorite radio station that has nothing wrong with it becomes over powered by a radio station that has music on it that we ought not to be listening to, but music that is so tempting.
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I now have a very good virus software.  Of course, the virus software will not do me any good unless I take it out of the box, download it and run the scans.  If I just buy the virus program and leave it sitting in the box, you think I could convince the company that they did not do their job?  No, they would immediately tell me it was my fault I was infected because I did not load the virus software onto my computer.  The same is true in our lives.  We cannot have a Bible, leave it sitting on our coffee table, and expect it to protect us from the viruses of the devil.  We must use read the Bible daily and hide God's Word in our hearts because if we don't, we will just do all the wrong things when we are tempted.  The devil knows our weaknesses and he knows exactly what to tempt us with.

Let's determine in this new year to not let any viruses into our homes. Let's make a habit of having our devotions, praying and staying in church.  Strive for a virus free year!

Happy New Year!!!!!