Thursday, April 10, 2008

Your temptation isn't new or different


Did you know that the wrong desires in your life aren’t anything new or different? Many others have experienced or are experiencing the same temptations in their lives. In fact the bible documented many of the lessons that the children of Israel went through so that we could read them and learn from them. They are a warning to us to not do the same things.

We should not let our guards down thinking that we are incapable of committing the same mistakes that others have made. I personally remember a time in my life where I said to myself, looking in on someone else’s life, “I would never do that”. I then found myself just months later committing that same sin. I was so foolish.

Often times we try to blame it on the devil or our flesh but NO temptation is irresistible. We are all able to adapt and adjust so that we can overcome temptation. We do not have to be overtaken by wrong desires or sin as the bible calls it. We can trust God to help overcome temptation. In fact our faithful Heavenly Father promises to keep the desires from becoming stronger than our ability to resist and endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
12If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 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.

Let’s remember that we are not alone in our struggles and just as God has delivered and helped others just like us, He will be faithful to bring us through our personal battles too. Our strength comes from God and we overcome thru faith in Christ Jesus. God be with you all.


2 comments:

a new me said...

This is a very important subject, especially to those of us who may be still young in our walk with the Lord. Every day i refocus on my position in the walk and ask God to give me the strength to get through the trials and temptations.. This world indeed is a battleground not a playground, and just like a military battleground we need a plan. If we try to face each battle with no plan we will fail, but when our plan includes God the battles seem small. James 1:2-3 reads "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance". For us to grow in our walk we must face these trials and temptations and not give into them. We will all face trials and temptations its just a matter of how we deal with it. I thank God each day for being my protector and advisor.

Anonymous said...

Someone pointed out a scripture to me last night... and it was perfect timing (as always):

1 Peter 1:13-16
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Just this weekend, I could feel that I had strayed from the Lord. Not in a sense where I'm denying Him but that I had succumb to temptation. The nightlife. The clubs. The drinking. When I woke up to the realization that I had missed church because I overslept, I felt my heart sink. This was the 2nd week in a row that I hadn’t gone to church because I put the late nights first. I knew the error of my ways. I knew it in my mind but, most importantly, I felt it in my heart, as if I had betrayed my love.

A moment of weakness, yes. A minor setback, yes. But will it consume me? NO.

It’s just as you wrote “We can trust God to help overcome temptation. In fact our faithful Heavenly Father promises to keep the desires from becoming stronger than our ability to resist and endure.“

I’m setting myself back on track. I’m putting my focus back where it should be. Back where I truly desire it to me. On God.

My God is Faithful!

My God is Faithful!
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.