When we give into temptation there is so much at stake…..
OUR FUTURE…..
the FUTURE OF OTHERS (our sin never affects just us!!!!)
It undermines our FAITH.
First, let me just say, no one escapes temptation…no one. Whether you are a Christ follower or not, we are all tempted by the evil one, Satan. For Christians God is specific in His Word about temptation.
One instruction that I find repeated in scripture is how to battle temptation with PRAYER. Allow me to share a few scriptures.
Matthew 26:41, “Watch and PRAY that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” [emphasis mine]
Luke 22:40, “And when he came to the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.'”
There are more but you get the picture.
Second, temptation…is common…to anyone…not unique.
1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Prayer protects. When we pray we become familiar with God’s voice and how He speaks to us…so that we may KNOW and RECOGNIZE HIS VOICE…when temptation comes. HE speaks. He gives us a way out. OUR JOB is to recognize the voice. WE need to know God’s voice in the same way we are familiar with our children’s voice, or our spouse, or our parents.
I have learned in battling temptation that comes my way every day….and sometimes is soooo disguised….to say out loud….”Satan you will not steal my future, nor my family nor my faith.” I continue to say, “I trust you God…depart from me Satan in the name of Jesus.” Yes, I say it OUT LOUD. You see, Satan can’t read our thoughts but he can hear our voice……..!!!!
If this seems odd and strange to you…..BE WARNED….you may not be recognizing temptation. You may not be winning the battle against temptation. You may not know the full of scripture in how to DEFEND. If you question my tactics I encourage you to implement them…. or dive into God’s word …..and see for yourself what it teaches about temptation.
I encourage you today….to live a victorious life…to live in abundance and joy, asking God to “lead you/me not into temptation but to deliver you/me from evil” and not just endure it, but win in this area of your life.
“God has ordained that Satan have a long leash with God holding on to the leash because he knows that when we walk in and out of those temptations, struggling with both the physical effects that they bring and moral effects that they bring, more of God’s glory will shine.” ~John Piper