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

Toothbrushes Aren’t Just for Good Oral Hygiene

 By Andrea Merrell

 

But if we confess our sins to Him, He can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.

I John 1:9 TLB

 

I love for my house to be clean, but sometimes I get in a rush and do a quick swipe here and there rather than a thorough cleaning. Later, upon closer inspection, I see all the little areas that need more attention.

 

It always amazes me how many of those areas you can only get to with an old toothbrush—dirty little places that can be reached no other way no matter how hard you try. Once I take the time to scrub away the hidden grime, it gives me a tremendous sense of satisfaction.

 

One day I realized how easily the same thing can happen in me. Just when I think all is well and I’m “clean” before the Lord, I discover all those hidden crevices filled with wrong attitudes and bad habits. A harsh word here. An unfair judgement there. Unforgiveness that needs to be addressed.

 

A quick swipe of “sorry, Lord” won’t do it. That’s when I have to ask Holy Spirit to get out the spiritual toothbrush and clean out all the hidden junk. It might not always be comfortable, but it gets the job done. When it’s over, it’s a feeling like none other.

 

Are you in need of a little extra scrubbing today? No problem. The Lord is ready when you are, so go ahead and ask.

 

And remember … toothbrushes aren’t just for good oral hygiene.

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and khuruzero.)

 

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Allow Holy Spirit to clean out all those hidden crevices filled with wrong attitudes and bad habits. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

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Call It What It Is

 ^{By Andrea Merrell}

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us 

our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

The necessary room. The water closet. The head. The John. The potty. Why can’t we just call it what it is—the bathroom.

It’s funny how we come up with cutsie little names for just about everything. Sometimes people don’t have a clue what we’re talking about.

In Christian circles, there’s another word we try to skirt around. We call it a shortcoming. A weakness. An issue. A problem. Baggage. We might even call it backsliding. But we need to call it what it is—sin.

The word sin tends to intimidate a lot of Christians. If we’re not careful, we can put on a façade and try to appear holy and righteous … without sin. Heaven forbid that someone should know we’re not perfect.

There was only one sinless being, and that was Jesus. He came to earth, lived among men, died a cruel death, and went back to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father. The Bible tells us Jesus faced every temptation common to mortal man, yet He never sinned. As He experienced these temptations, He knew our human flesh would never be able to live as He lived. That’s why—through His sacrifice—He made provision for us to receive forgiveness with no limit. He said if we would confess, He would forgive. It’s that simple.

There’s something called a “duck test” that has been around for centuries. It says “if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck … then it probably is a duck.” When others look at us, they just might be doing a “sin test.” When we look like the world, talk like the world, think like the world, and act like the world … it’s time to take inventory.

If there’s unconfessed sin in your life, call it what it is. Then take it to the Father and ask for forgiveness. He’s waiting with arms wide open.

(Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/depspoons/Stuart Miles.)

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When we look, talk, think, and act like the world … it’s time to take inventory. (Click to Tweet.)

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