Temptation for all

The race we run is not a race against our peers, it is not really a race at all, but we are in fact running….running with the Lord, and from the one who is waiting for us to fall. The one I referred to as competition is not in competition with as much as for us! When we look at the last part of the verse we see 13No 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. Ahhh yes the great tempter, the liar of liars, the fallen angel….it does not really matter what you call him, the devil works just as well as any name, but know for a fact he is in direct competition for your soul.

God helps those who help themselves you hear that quote a lot…..only God did not say it, as a mater of fact you will not find that quote anywhere in the bible! Benjamin Franklin said that. What the Lord did tell us is that when we are weak he is strong, He told us that He will not forsake us…..He told us that if we will let him help he will. Paul is reminding us that we will be tempted….everyone is tempted, but first it is normal, and second, when we are tempted there will always be a way out.

The Lord might allow things to happen, but he is not the one that causes the hardship in our lives, it is us giving in to the temptation of the devil that causes our pain. See the devil has a distinct advantage on this earth. All he has to do is get you t0o turn your back on the Lord. You do not have to pledge yourself to the devil, you do not have to follow any teachings of the devil…..all you have to do is give in, and turn from the Lord, and he wins.

Of course no one thinks they will do that, but it is a pretty easy thing to do if you are not looking for that way out. There is always an escape hatch, a side door, or an open window. I often think of Job, talk about a man of faith, God let the devil inflict all types of pain physical, mental, emotional pain on Job, yet he did not break, he did not curse God. Of course God knew Job, he knew that he wouldn’t. God knows how much each one of us can endure, and what might seem like too much for you, might very well be nothing more than in inconvenience to another. Many might think that God was cruel to allow that type of pain, yet for someone who loves the Lord that is not pain, but an opportunity to show your conviction.

This brings up an interesting point, it seems that the more faith you have, the bigger, or more tempting the temptation…..weird huh? I can remember back to a time where I would say I was not tempted very much at all, not because I did whatever I wanted, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the devil knew that I just was not that big of a challenge. Now, well it seems that there is an opportunity to fall at every turn. Now things have changed, the devil realizes he will need all that is at his disposal just to try and get my attention. Remember, it is not that he wants me to turn to him, just turn from God, and he wins. This is nothing to fear, but a welcome challenge, let the devil do his best! He lost the race when Christ died on the cross; it’s just that he, and many people today do not realize it!

As we go into the weekend remember, God does not make mistakes, everything that has happened, and continues to happen is a learning, and a warning for us, continue to strive to know God better in your life, never get complacent, as if your race is over, everyday hit the ground running, remember that we all will be tempted, the devil is looking for a few good men…..but you will not be tempted beyond what you can withstand, and there will always be a way out, look for it, and USE it. The Glory is His, the Power is His, and the Honor is his, may we sing the praises of his name.

Peace,
Rev. Thetford