A Way Out of Temptation

Jesus was tempted three times by Satan personally.  The threefold appeal dramatically struck at basic needs we all have.  Jesus was in all points tempted like us.  He resisted and was victorious.  Believe it or not, many modern Christians are both tempted like you and victorious. 

Temptation can be the body of another person.  Expressions such as, “What a hunk,” “Look at that body,” “What a stud,” reveal such an attitude.

Temptation is a pressure situation, when everybody kids you and urges you to do something you really don’t want to.

Temptation is a challenge to prove what you are or can do by being other than what you ought to be.

Temptation is anything which, if we follow it, causes us to do something contrary to God’s will.

James 1: 14, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own desires.”

I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to beat it.”

Every passion, desire, and appetite of everyone of us has a tempter lying in wait for it which desires to misuse it.  Even vices often wear the robes of virtue.

Every decision has a consequence. That’s the bottom line. You have to be accountable for your actions, no matter who you are.

The Bible instructs us to “Flee temptation.” When you do, be sure you don’t leave a forwarding address.

The term “flee” means to get away so fast you kick up dust. If you have an improper friendship, here is sage advice. That is, a relationship you know the Lord does not approve of. Break it off permanently immediately.

When you encounter temptation, always turn to the right. If you are not going on the flight stay off the plane. Don’t flirt with temptation.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13).

Whatever you know about yourself, know this, you are dreadfully like everyone else.

Corinth was a sea port. The term translated “way of escape” was a nautical expression. It referred to a ship in peril in a storm. The only way it can survive and ride out the storm is to lighten its load. Therefore, some of the cargo has to be thrown overboard. To avoid being overcome by certain temptations we might well have to throw overboard certain things in our life. Get certain things out of your life and your life out of certain things.      

Christ taught us in the Model Prayer to pray, “Lead us not into temptation.”  From this we learn we should pray daily, “Lord, keep me from the assaults of Satan. Keep me from being blind sided.”