Ephesians 2:3a Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;

One thing we all have in common is a past. As individuals our experiences vary. What God did for us as individuals to pull us out of our sins also varies. In that same way we may have different triggers.

Triggers vary in design and intent. Some are not even associated with guns. You have single action triggers, double action triggers, remote triggers, and even safety triggers. If you are properly trained you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each trigger.

Then there is the triggers of the mind. Not much different, except once pulled these do not set off an explosive charge, they lead to sin. Alcoholics and drug addicts know all too well what their triggers are because they lead to relapses.

A trigger is not sin. You still have to pull the trigger. The problem with triggers of the mind is they cannot be avoided. They exist in the recesses of the mind, embedded in memory, attached to emotions, and almost always come with an itch. The itchy trigger finger is the most dangerous trigger implement. The trigger itself does nothing, it has to be pulled into action, sin.

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job knew his trigger. He was determined to control the triggers of his mind. Obviously Job could not control chance meetings with lovely young women, but he could control his pondering heart. If he would not dwell on his trigger, the temptation to pull the trigger would pass just like the pretty young maid who walked in front of him would pass out of sight.

I know my triggers. I know how dangerous to my holiness they can be. I place my hands in the pockets of my mind, away from the trigger when they appear. There is safe ground in your mind. Do whatever it takes to take your mind off the trigger.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Why is it that we do not give steak to new born babies? Simple enough isn’t it, they cannot digest meat. Their digestive systems are not developed adequately to handle meat. It would cause them distress and pain.

So it is with the spiritual strong meat of the Word of God for immature Christians. It takes spiritual maturity to properly digest the Word. Spiritual digestion is food to feed the soul. If I were to force feed you, like a baby it would only cause you distress and pain.

This is why individual bible study, private tastings, are needed to supplement the diet provided by pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is the whole body, both mature and immature Christian, to do no harm, so as not to cause distress and pain.

Growth to maturity is two part. One is diet, the other exercise. You get your exercise in the fellowship of others. Your diet is your own responsibility. You cannot and should not delve into strong meat until your body is prepared to process and use it properly. Maturity is required to handle that spiritual diet. Your ability to develop that digestive system has to be done privately, your pastors and teachers cannot feed you in a public setting.

The words of a doctor are well suited here, “As tolerated.” Growth to maturity is not instant nor does it occur where a proper diet is not used. Babies are not meant to stay babies and Christian are meant to mature.

Amos 7:1 Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings.

Would you like to be able to digest this word? If the answer is yes, then the secret begins with feeding yourselves. “Eat as tolerated.”