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 This morning I was curious about a statement made by Christ,  
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin!
For it is necessary that temptations come,
but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!" Matt 18:7 ESV     

What?  Why would He say that?....   

Context: Jesus is teaching about who is the greatest in the Kingdom
-> the one who is humble as a little child....
But he gives a warning to those who would 'trip' those who are humble as children....
and this is where He speaks the statement about temptations. See Matt 18:1-9

King James renders the statement:
"Woe unto the world because of offences!
for it must needs be that offences come;
but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

The word translated Offence or Temptation is
Scandalon (Scandal)
The stick that triggers a trap....

I believe that Jesus says that these
temptations or offences
must exist
because God has continued to make
free choice available
to all the sons of Adam....

They must exist.
But WOE to the one through whom they come.

As I thought about traps and getting 'caught'
a story from Proverbs came to mind.
Proverbs 7:6-27...

Lord Jesus
This world of choice between
You and Self
You and Death
Not trapped.... or Trapped.

Temptation, Offence, 'My Rights....
Tripping a trap...
or
Your Kingdom.

I choose
to Choose You
today.

and not be Trapped

Thank You for opening my eyes to
the blessing of choosing You....
...not getting 'caught'.

Yeah. :)

PJ