Day 26 - Growing through Tempation

Lewis Williams

Temptation is Not an Enemy But A Tool

We face temptations every day. No matter who we are everyone faces some sort of temptation. It comes in various forms and avenues. We are tempted on our jobs when we are pondering over whether we should take a longer break, a longer lunch, bring home some paper clips, or even some ink pens without the proper consent.

We are tempted in the area of finances.When the bill collector calls and we tell the person who answers the phone to tell the person on the other line, that we are not home. We are given too much change back from a purchase and reason in our mind why we should keep it. We are tempted everyday with the lust of the eye, The bible says in 1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common (familiar) 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.

Understand we are going to be tempted throughout our life here on earth. Nothing new is happening that has not happened before. Since the existence of time people have been tempted. It started with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and it has traveled down through many generations. So the choice is ours to do what is right or wrong when the opportunity arises.

We can not accomplish this on our own. It is not contingent on our education, our financial status, our jobs, or even where we live.We must have the Holy Spirit living within us. This is not a one time event that we can overcome temptation. It is a process and we are challenged on all sides. We must allow the Holy Spirit to mature us. The more time I spend in the word of God and meditate on His word, the more I will be strengthen to overcome temptation.

At times we will come short of the mark and feel like a failure, thinking, "I can't do this, or it's to hard." Don't become tripped up when the devil whispers in your ear. Ask God to forgive and strengthen you in the area you struggle in.The more we work on developing the Fruit of the Spirit we will become spiritually matured and better at mastering temptation. Honesty, joy, peace, long-suffering, and integrity will be manifested in our lives. Doubt, pride, and lust will operate less because we are already victorious through him that love us, Jesus Christ.

Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NLT)