Tag Archives: temptation

Tempted

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT*

What’s your strategy against temptation? Common sense says it’s willpower and avoidance, and sometimes that’s enough.

But the Bible promises that God Himself will show us a way out of it.

God saved us, cleaned us up, and wants us to live for Him. He’s invested in our success, and He equips us with what we need. He’s given His own Holy Spirit to live in us, to lead and empower.

We still have a part to play. First, we need to be alert to recognize temptation. Not just the overt opportunities to sin, but the attitude triggers: things that spark complaining, resentment, bitterness etc. The Lord wants to keep us clean on the inside as well as the outside.

So first we need to recognize the danger. Then we need to ask for God’s way out. When He shows us, we need to seize it. No stopping to consider. Instant obedience.

It may be an obvious physical escape – leaving the scene. Or it may be re-setting our mind with a verse of truth that God causes us to remember. Whatever His way is, it’ll work – if we obey Him.

Of course we mess up, over and over, in our human weakness, but growing in Christ is about learning to live in His strength. We’re a work in progress, and He promises to forgive us when we ask Him.

Holy and righteous God, we’d have no chance of pleasing You without Your grace. You paid the price to reclaim us, You teach and equip us, You lead us. And You forgive us over and over again. Grow us in love and faithfulness, so our lives will become more pleasing to You and so others will see the change You can make.

David Meece’s song “Help Me Stand” covers more than just temptation, but it’s a powerful reminder of the difference a simple prayer can make.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Rock-Solid Security

Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Psalm 125:1, NLT*

Trusting God brings security. We won’t be defeated.

That’s not to say we won’t have pain and trouble, but it’s a reminder of the real battle, the long-term spiritual one.

Whatever our hard times, it’s easier to focus on the externals: the disease, rebellious child, unemployment. The things outside our control.

We’re not responsible for the externals. We’re responsible for our hearts, our focus, our faith.

Defeat is when we get our eyes off God. Victory is continuing to trust in spite of what we see, hear, feel, experience.

We can pray for healing, common sense, provision. But we also need to pray for ourselves, to remain strong in our private tests.

This is our temptation, our battle: will we continue to trust? This is where God makes a way, if we’ll only look for it.

Faithful God, You’ve promised to never leave us, and to always make a way out from under the temptations we face. You want us to stand victorious in Your strength, for Your glory and our wellbeing. Help us keep our focus on You despite whatever may go on around us. Help us plant even in tears, to do what needs doing, so we can reap with joy in Your time.

Where do we look for security? Bebo Norman sings “I Will Lift My Eyes.”

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.