TEMPTATIONS: FRIEND OR FOE?

SCRIPTURE:
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.  
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

MEDITATION:
Does it seem that temptation 
is a shadow following you around every day of your life?
If you are not a Christian, you may not be aware of this situation.
Why? Well for one reason, your thoughts are not on spiritual things.
Also, you already belong to Satan, so he does not need to tempt you 
to stray from the godly things your heart desires 
(because you do not have godly thoughts or desires).

However, if you are a Christian, Satan wants to distract you from any 
godly thoughts in order to discourage you from being about God’s ministry.
It should encourage you to know that he considers you 
a good enough Christian to be a target of his.

He knows that each time he causes you to yield to temptation, you will be 
consumed with a guilt that causes a break in your fellowship with the Lord.
When we feel guilty, we aren’t as anxious to spend time with the Lord.
Of course the opposite should be true – we should have a desire to meet 
with Him as soon as possible so we can confess and ask for forgiveness.
 
Christians may ask themselves questions like, 
“Why can’t I escape these temptations?”
“Why can’t I be stronger in resisting temptations?”
“Why do I give in to them so easily and so often?”

The scriptures tell us that when Satan tempts us, God will limit his 
temptations to the boundaries of our ability to resist them.
Not only that, but God will provide us 
with a way to escape them before they consume us.
God knows our weaknesses and how to give us strength 
and determination to ‘get away’ from the temptations.

Getting away from them should be our first plan of resistance.
For instance, if we know that we will be tempted in a particular place, 
then we need to leave that place.
If we know that temptations are greater when we are alone, 
then we need to surround ourselves with others.
If we know that consuming certain beverages or food will weaken 
our resistance to temptations, then we need to avoid them.

The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is: 
they both may have good and evil thoughts, but Christ gives His followers 
the strength to choose the right rather than the wrong. 
You see a man going to a worship service with a Bible under his arm. 
That man was undoubtedly tempted to stay at home, 
or participate in some other activity.
But, as these thoughts came to his mind, 
he made the right choice, and headed for the church. 

Another man drives through the night to a bar. 
More than likely it occurred to him that he should stay home with his family. 
But he yielded to the negative thought, and gave in to his human appetites. 
It is not the temptations you have, 
but the decision you make about them that counts.

ACTION:
Have you been struggling with temptations?
What attempts do you make to resist and avoid them?
Have you pleaded with the Lord to fill your mind 
with godly thoughts to replace the tempting ones?

Do you have a desire to confess your sins to the Lord 
ask Him for His forgiveness?
Are temptations not a problem for you?
If so, then you may not be a child of the Lord - the devil may own you.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You know my weaknesses and the temptations 
that bombard me daily. I know that I cannot resist them in my own 
strength. I ask You to show me the path to escape these temptations 
and give me the determination to follow that path. Please replace my 
sinful thoughts with righteous thoughts so that I will remain close to 
You. When Satan gives me convincing thoughts about why I should 
stay home instead of meeting You in church, overwhelm me with 
guilt so I will do what You want me to do, instead of giving in to
Satan's or my natural desires. Give me the strength and wisdom to 
make the right choices to avoid doing the wrong things, and to do 
the right things.”