Resist Temptation-DD 4/23/2010

"Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt 26:41

One of the great realities in life is that we know right from wrong. Whether we receive our morals from the bible, law, society or upbringing, we are fitted with an innate sense of good and evil. Depending on the afforementioned sources, what may be absolutely right for some may be absolutely wrong for others. Romans 14:5 bears this thought out. Romans 14:22-23 tells us that we get into trouble when we start operating outside of our convictions (just read the whole chapter). Let us then, each consider the following as it relates to ourselves and not what we see in others.

Having an understanding of righteousness, why are we so easily tempted to dabble, if not jump completely into sin? We were all born with a sin nature. We were all born into darkness. It is in fact, our native tongue and from whence we come. Thanks be to God that we were saved from sin but in truth, we are never far from it. We make many frequent visits to our former home whether it is through the desires of the eye, the flesh or our pride, 1 John 2:16.

Our ever present task is to resist temptation. This is absolutely critical to our spiritual health and welfare. Though sin may be attractive to our old selves because of the way it looks, feels, smells and tastes, we must know that these temporary pleasures end in death. In that none of us are free from sin, resisting temptation represents a difficulty for all of us. Be assured that it is not as difficult as leaving heaven, being abused by those you created and dying an agonizing self sacrificing death for people who to this day do not accept it or believe it. How is that for perspective?

We are not, however, without help. "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 Cor 10:13. It is up to us to use the escape God provides.

[Memory verse of the week: Phi 3:13-14]


In Revival,

Lee