In the 1960s/70s, Flip Wilson coined the phrase “the devil made me do it.” Eve had a similar response in the garden when she said “The serpent deceived me, so I ate.” As long as we live we will face temptation. Temptation is an enticement to get a person to act contrary to God’s will. Temptation in itself is not sinful, but the yielding to the temptation is.
WHAT IS GOD’S RESPONSE TO THE TEMPTATION?
1 Corinthians 10:13 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 stand up under it.” You are not alone in the battle at all. Perhaps most important, God is with us and offers a way out. We should choose it.
WHAT IS OUR ROLE?
If we prepare, resist, and pray, we will be better prepared to battle temptation. This is planning and structuring the course of your day to avoid what is tempting you. Preparation will have our eyes looking for the way out and not yield to sin. Joseph refused Potiphar’s wife. After refusing several times he ran out of the house. The Lord did show him favor and kindness and was with him. Are we praying daily that He “lead us not into temptation” so that when we face the temptation we have the strength to resist and be ready with a wise response?
Matthew 26:41 says “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Will I continue to do what I want or turn from the temptation? Pray and ask for help.
Years ago a dear pastor friend was sharing his wisdom with a group of us. He said, “If you live your lives with God as the leading role and you as the supporting cast, your choices will be much wiser than if you were the leading role and God was the supporting cast.”
I think of this often and I see how it can even pertain to battling temptation. Our eyes on Him will provide a holy focus in and through the temptation. Satan tempted Jesus but he did not submit to the temptation. Jesus’ response was using God’s Word and so can we!
Learn from Eve – Don’t listen to the lie
Learn from Joseph- Resist
Learn from Jesus- Use God’s Word
Tammy De Armas
EFCC Member