Strive, is a VERB

I really enjoy reading Charles Spurgeon ( The prince of preachers)
This little nugget was in my gmail box this morning. It brought to mind that even tho I'm now officially getting old, I am still subject to sin and to fall into a pit of temptation, and even tho God forgives sin, I will suffer consequenses to my sin. I like to think of them as "wrong choices" but truth is, its just sin. The answer to this is to keep my eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ! When I am focusing on Him, I sin less. When I'm reading and studying His word, I sin less. Truth is as long as HE is in my mind and thoughts, I don't have ugly vile thoughts, but just let me get idle for a few minutes and here they come. The bible says that we are to strive to be like Him.
I looked that word strive up :

strive 
 /straɪv/ [strahyv]
–verb (used without object), strove or strived, striv⋅en

 /ˈstrɪvən/ [striv-uhn] or strived, striv⋅ing.
1.
to exert oneself vigorously; try hard: He strove to make himself understood.
2.
to make strenuous efforts toward any goal: to strive for success.
3.
to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete.
4.
to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance: to strive against fate.
5.
to rival; vie.

LUKE 13:24 says: Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

1 PETER 2:21-24 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The devil's jackals!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing--a very beautiful woman." 2 Samuel 11:2

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation! Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil. The morning opens with peril--and the shadows of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept--whom God keeps! But woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house, unarmed. Those who think themselves secure, are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of sin--is self-confidence.

David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles, instead of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed in the evening. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals--and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters--noxious creatures swarm. Neglected soil--soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briers. Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful!

When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into temptation--let me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door! Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for prayer and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret--a sanctuary from sin!

While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful--we had need use all diligence in all places--to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets! And even if we could shut out that foul fiend--our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin--unless God's grace prevents it.

Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down--but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night--as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.

I pray this spoke to your heart, it sure did mine!
Have a blessed Monday!