Say No to Temptation

 

By Andrea Merrell

The temptations in your life are no different

from what others experience.

And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation

to be more than you can stand.

When you are tempted, he will show you a way out

so that you can endure.  

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

 

“There’s too much temptation,” the man said. “The pressure is killing me. I don’t think I can resist this time.”

He was referring to his addiction to alcohol and pornography.

Most Christians typically think being tempted refers to this same type of compulsion—all manner of sin and worldly pleasures—which ends up being, for the most part, brief and fleeting. But what about the temptation to be angry? To lie. To worry. To refuse to forgive. To throw in the proverbial towel and quit because life is just too hard.

It all boils down to our mind. That’s where the battle begins. The more we dwell on something negative, the more firmly attached it becomes. That's how strongholds are created.

I read somewhere that our mind is like a hotel. The manager and staff cannot control who comes in, but they can control who gets a room and how long they stay.

There will always be temptation. It comes in all shapes and sizes. And no one is immune. Even the apostle Paul faced it. He said, “I don’t want to do what’s wrong, but I do it anyway” (Romans 7:19 NLT).

But God, as always, gives us a way out—the name of Jesus and His powerful, life-giving Word. Through prayer, confessing His Word over our situation, and surrounding ourselves with godly people who can keep us accountable, we can overcome.

The next time temptation comes your way, just say no!

Photo by Andy T on Unsplash