Victory Over Temptation!

We Are All Sinners!

"If we say that we have so sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us" -- 1 John 1:8 (NASB)

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23 (NASB)

Sin is everywhere. It's a part of us.

Ever since the fall of man, sin has reared its ugly mug and led mankind down many destructive paths. I will not focus on sin here but rather on its root, temptation.

Let me begin by saying that God does not tempt anyone. That is satan's role. God does however allow temptation to occur.

By allowing temptation to enter our lives, God tests us along our journey to sanctification. Trials and temptations are God's ways of sifting the ugly debris from our lives to reveal the underlying beauty. They are meant to strengthen, mold, and present us as pure images of His son, Jesus. This doesn't mean we always benefit spiritually from trials and temptations. More than I care to admit, I fail in my attempts to overcome temptation's lures and subsequent sin. Such cavings stunt our spiritual growth rather than edify it.

This is a constant struggle for me and others. Sin is everywhere. it's a part of us. It's a part of me.

Which brings me to the apostle Paul and his 1st letter to the church at Corinth.

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" -- 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NASB)

Wow! What powerful words!

God, speaking through the apostle Paul, tells us that even though He allows temptation, He will always provide a way to defeat it! -- This is an incredible promise! -- Now if I could only discover the means of escape I'd be OK.

I read this verse over and over. I secured it to memory. But its true meaning continued to elude me.

How will God provide a way?

With temptation squaring me in the face, where was the escape hatch? I continually grasped for straws; until one night. -- God, through His spirit, provided the answer.-- Ask Him! That was it! God is our escape! Could it really be that simple?

Yes it is!

In the midst of my intellectual melee of reason and debate, all I had to do was ask. I couldn't believe the simplicity of it. Now all I needed to do was take the next step; which demanded action. And this is where the rubber meets the road. For me, taking action against the temptation often proves more difficult than the temptation itself.

You have to mentally (or verbally) ask God to deliver you from your temptation. It's a simple request yet one requiring an open admission and confession to God.

The results are cleansing and invigorating. But knowing you've secured any victory against satan and his desire to destroy is good for your spirit!

God is our escape hatch. He is our victory. It's up to us to accept Him at His word and believe it. I know skepticism abounds when applying this truth. All I can say is this. Once we decide to listen to and accept God's means of escaping temptation, we move into His will for our lives.

He will guide us and encourage us in our walk. It's not always easy. I still fail on a regular basis. But the longer this truth embeds itself in me, the easier it becomes to obey.

God wills a good life for us. He allows us to make choices, good and bad. But sincerely operating in His will is a joy unfathomable. I invite you to join me in my walk. Invite God and His son Jesus into your heart today! Victory over temptation is waiting for you!

Peace!

Luke 8:13

time of tempation to fall away

James 1:13

Himself does not tempt

1st Corinthians 7:5

so that satan will not tempt you

Mark 1:13

being tempted by satan

Psalm 106:14

And tempted God in the