This may not seem like to big a deal to most people, but these cookies were for me, and I haven't had cookies in three years. It was a very big deal. Actually, I did eat one organic Oreo about a year ago and got sick, right away. It was almost worth it.
Due to my wheat and potato allergies, it is very difficult to find any bread-like product I can have. Most gluten free products have potato starch, so I'm out of luck just about every time. However, I found some coconut flour which had a cookie recipe on the back - I suppose most people need some ideas what to do with coconut flour - and I finally tried them. I hadn't built up my hope because honestly, most substitute recipes stink. However, when they came out of the oven, I about melted.
After fighting the kids off and "testing" several to make sure they were OK, I began to think that perhaps the only reason they tasted so good to me was because it had been so long since I'd eaten any. Time does that to us. Things I use to think were so bland, taste wonderful to me now because of my limited palate. Going on this hope, I let the kids have one each: They loved them. The cookies really were as good as I thought.
As the day wore on, I found myself going over to grab "just one more cookie", more than just one time. Funny how I wasn't really hungry for dinner...
At the end of the day I had eaten too many cookies. At least there were some left - but not many. Even then, as my body was saying "No more cookies!", my mouth was begging for more. I had lost the will power not to devour the cookies! Actually, I think I never really had it in the first place. I just haven't had the option of bending in so long, I had forgotten how weak I was when it came to cookies. They really don't even need to be around.
Jesus was teaching His disciples about the same principle in Matthew 18:7-9:
Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom to offenses come. If you hand of your foot causes your downfall, cut it all and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, rather than to have two eyes and thrown into hellfire."
Yes, I realize that is extreme. Especially when talking about cookies. Yet the principle behind it is the same. No, those cookies were not blocking my walk with Christ, but there are things which seem just as innocent at times that can. They can be different for everyone as well. One person may be hindered by specific TV programs that don't bother other Christians. Music is another thing which can be very powerful in a persons walk with Christ. If events start taking the place of Christ, such as sports, clubs, or social activities, they should be taken away as well.
If I find after another batch or two that I can't control myself at all around those cookies, will they become a stumbling block? I think so. Not because of the cookies themselves, but because of the character flaw of a lack of self control they would bring out in me. If I found that to be true then, yes, I shouldn't make them anymore. However, that shouldn't be the end of it. Once the flawed attitude of the heart/soul is discovered, we should go to our Savior for healing. Seek Him in order to become more like Him. Then, just perhaps, one day, we will be able to eat those cookies again....
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