Temptation

Temptation

Every time you defeat a temptation, you become more like Jesus!

Rick Warren

The enemy loves to tempt you to sin when you are discouraged, especially when you feel like I’m not coming through for you quickly enough. He whispers, “Allow yourself some gratification in the middle of your pain. You deserve to be happier because you’ve been through a lot. I’ll give you a break from your disappointments and give you a chance to have mental and emotional freedom from the hard life you’re living.” Always remember he’s a liar! The promise of temptation is that it will take away your sadness and give you pleasure, but the truth is that temptation leads to sin, which will eventually lead to guilt, sorrow, and distance from Me.

When temptations come, be encouraged with these words: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:14-15). The best way to get away from temptation is to look to the example of Jesus and run from the lure of the enemy. You are “not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world”—and it is a dark world! (Ephesians 6:12). But temptation does not have to win. You can make the right choice.

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