Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. They can vary from eating that piece of chocolate cake to doing something that could destroy your credibility, destroy your family, or do yourself bodily harm.
The devil wants to trip us up by whispering in our ears things that would cause us to stumble and fall into sin. Sometimes, however we are led astray by our own evil desires that dwell in our own hearts.
What do we do when temptations come our way? Jesus gives us a lesson in Matthew 4:1-11 which says,
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
The tempter came to Him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written:
Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point
of the temple.
"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you", he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only"
Then the devil left him and angels came and attended Him."
When the devil came to Jesus in the desert Jesus was hungry and tired. He had fasted for forty days and He was out in the desert heat.
Temptations usually attack us when we are feeling tired and hungry. They assail us when we are weakened in some way.
The devil will fire his darts at us hoping that we will take the bait and stumble.
We need to pay attention to how Jesus dealt with these temptations.
Jesus was fully tempted like we are, but He never sinned.
Jesus used Scripture against everything Satan threw at Him.
We must prepare ourselves for battle by memorizing a Bible verse or verses that speak to our
situation or our weak points. Our weak point is that thing that we are tempted to do, but we know it
is not pleasing to the Lord. We seem to stumble at that one point, whatever it maybe for you, over
and over again.
A great verse to start with is I Corinthians 10:13 which says,
"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."
If you are struggling with something and we all do. I would encourage you to bring it up before the
Lord. Take to Him in prayer and read the Bible. Ask the Lord to help you and He will.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand those weak points where you most likely will stumble into
sin and ask Him to help you to say no to the temptations.
What ever you do. Don't give up. The Lord has not given up on you. Draw near to the Lord.
Let the Lord lead you and guide your steps.
Sometimes you and I will stumble and fall. Remember that we are sinners saved by grace.
He will lift us up when we stumble. He is always ready to forgive.
I John 1:9 says,
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from
all unrighteousness."
The Lord loves us and He doesn't want to see us fall. When we find ourselves facing temptations
may we stand our ground and be ready with a scripture verse and be empowered by the Holy Spirit
who indwells every believer in Christ.
Lord,
I am weak in my flesh, but You are strong.
Help me to resist temptations when they come.
Help me to want to say no.
Help us O Lord to live our lives for You in all areas.
Search our hearts.
Purify our minds.
Draw us to You.
Thank You for Your love and mercy and amazing grace.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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