Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

The Lord never closes a door, without opening a window. What I mean by that, is we are never trapped in sin. When we find ourselves tempted, there is always a way out, or around. When I look back at my life I see that no matter the situation, the Lord had always provided an escape route. However, it is up to us to take that route.

Your temptation is no better or worse than the next persons. It is something we all deal with. As 1 Peter 5: 8-9 reads: “8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” The devil knows your soul make no mistake about it, He knows what your sinful nature desires. He will place it at your feet, knowing the price you will have to pay to accept the gift……a piece of your soul.

I think it is important to note here that God is not the one tempting you. James 1: 13-14 points that out well.” 13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Jesus himself was tempted, I think the way Christ handled it is the key to how we should handle temptation. In Matthew chapter 4 it gives a good account. When you read it, notice that Christ does not make excuses, he does not try to fight the temptation alone, he calls on the scriptures. Every time the devil puts temptation in front of Christ Christ’s response is “ for it is written…..” That is the first response we should all have. Instead of trying to rationalize a reason, refer to the scripture. It is all right there, laid out in black and white. Call on the Lord, and utilize his words. They will put every situation is perspective. (another good reason to read the bible daily) God will always provide an exit strategy.

You might have to look for it, you might need to keep a level head, least you get caught up in the moment; but know this the Lord will never leave you stranded. There is an old saying that goes “God will never give me more than I can handle…….I just wish he did not trust me so much sometimes!” God knows your heart, he knows your soul, and he knows the path he has put before you. Yes he will allow temptation in your life. The key to remember is that he will not allow you to be pushed beyond what he knows you can handle. (you might not agree, but he knows) If we think about it, and take a good look inside ourselves, we know when we have stumbled, and we know that we could have avoided it. On some level we caved, we gave up, threw in the towel. That does not make us lost, that makes us human. We are all recovering sinners. Relapses happen during recovery, the important thing is to get right back up and check your armor, you might have forgotten to fully suit up for battle (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

When we feel the pressure pushing down on us, instead of meeting it head on, unsure of the out comes, find the door the Lord has provided. Slip out the side door, and remove yourself from the situation. The Lord opened the door for us to leave…..all we have to remember to do is walk through it!


Peace,
Rev. T